Like Family February 3, 2012

I have the good fortune of working with some of the greatest people. I couldn't ask for better friends or a better group of people to spend my day with aside from my own family. The past few months have brought a lot of change and unfortunately for me - this means I won't be spending my days with some of these great friends anymore. Instead they have the great fortune of moving into a new chapter in their lives. It seems weird to think that it won't be that long before Wayne and I will be looking at that chapter in our lives. Retirement is something that happens to someone else - to old people. Funny thing is, neither one of these great people are old! They are great friends, full of life with amazing plans for fun and travel ahead. So jealous!

The picture on top is from the first retirement party. Jim loves Jimmy Buffet and vacationing in Baja California. He has a laugh that is contaious and can be heard throughout the hospital hallways. Jim was one of the first LRH employees I met and I met him while I was working for FHP. He was an advocate for me then and it carried on through the the next 11 years I would work with him. Everyone should be so lucky to have a Jim in their life. I learned a lot about myself from coming to know Jim.

The picture at the bottom is from our most recent retirement party - my good friend and office mate for the past 5 years, Mary Brown. Just writing about this happy moment for her brings tears to my eyes. It was such a hard loss not just for myself but for our "office". We are all within ear shot of each other and Mary was the sunshine that was constant in the office. It didn't matter what else was going on there was a few things I could count on with 100% certainty. Brian would be able to sneak up behind her while she was concentrating and scare her nearly to death. She would always let me know if I was having a good hair day and 9 days out of 10 she would tell me I was losing weight. Who wouldn't want to hear that everyday? Mary had the best stories and no one could tell them like she could. She made everything more interesting. Who will tell us how busy she is everyday all the while pumping out amazing good deeds to neighbors and friends. She knew everyone in town and their entire family line.It always felt like Mary cared for half of Cache Valley while she was a nurse on the surgical floor. I think it safe to say I will never have another Mary in my life - she is irreplaceable. Her husband is pretty amazing as well. Happy for them both that they were both able to retire on the same day.

So 12 years I've been in my current position at LRH. I am now the most senior member of the quality team. Yikes! 12 years ago when I first started and was learning from Jim and I remember how inadequate I felt. This one year has totally turned things over at work. It was so comfortable for so long and now it feels like a different office.

 I am curious and feeling quite overwhelmed at what the next few months at work hold in store.We are busy training new employees and we are getting ready for our Joint Commission survey. It seems that healthcare continues to change at such a rapid pace one can hardly keep up! I easily spend 8 hours/week reading up on the regulatory changes and requirements as we prepare for survey. I love working the quality management department and it's a natural fit for me. This is one of the great things about the nursing profession - there are so many different areas to specialize in.

I am so thankful for my second family. My LRH family has certainly

become like family to me. We've been through parent's dying, children divorcing, children marrying, grand children born, sick children, and dying pets. We've had a few firsts, like our first pedicure, first glitter toes and amazing authentic Italian dinner with recipes compliments of Dr. Keyser. We've even acquired a few new expressions that have

become a hospital favorite and most requested copy ~

the office mantra "What The Hell !"

Don't make me use my sign!