Physicians Honor Nurses with Annual Awards

Two Franciscan St. Margaret Health nurses received Physicians Choice St. Margaret of Cortona awards for excellence in nursing during programs at the Dyer and Hammond campuses May 7.

The annual awards are presented during the American Nursing Association's National Nurses Week.

Loretta Juskiw, who has spent her 42-year nursing career at the Hammond Campus, was honored there; while Kay McElmurry, who has been at the Dyer Campus during her entire 30-year career, was awarded for her work there.

Hospital president Tom Gryzbek noted the "elite" honors reflect the high regard physicians hold for recipients. Physicians nominate nurses; the nurse with the most nominations is chosen.

Juskiw, a clinical radiation oncology nurse, said she was "honored that the physicians would consider me a role model for other nurses."

McElmurry, who said she became a nurse because she loves helping people, added she "was so honored to be chosen by the doctors and to work with such a great bunch of people."

Each received a cake, flowers and other gifts.

St. Margaret of Cortona joined the Third Order of St. Francis in the 1200s and chose to live in poverty, following the saint’s example. She founded a hospital for the homeless and impoverished in the city of Cortona, Italy and pledged her life to serving God through the hospital. She was canonized on May 16, 1728.

Photos:

• Nurse Loretta Juskiw displays her St. Margaret Cortona Award with Dr. Urmi Kalohke at Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Hammond.
  
• Nurse Kay McElmurry is shown after receiving her St. Margaret Cortona Award at Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer.