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Meet
our Nurses
Nursing
at Loyola
Kathleen
Bettis , RN, Gynecologic Oncology, Cardinal
Bernardin Cancer Center
Why did you choose to
work at LUHS? I am a Loyola graduate,
1976, and wanted to work in an academic setting
with an excellent reputation.
What do you like about
working for LUHS? I like working for
a Jesuit institution, it philosphy and values
are important to me.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS? 15 years
Where did you attend nursing
school? Loyola University
Was your first job here
at Loyola? No
What do you like most
about your job? The freedom to think
and act independently as a professional nurse.
What is something that
you are doing today that you never imagined
you'd be doing when you first began your career?
I never thought I would work in an ambulatory
setting.
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you? "I
love you." I have one patient who told
me this every time she called to discuss a problem
she was having and would end the conversation
that way.
What qualities do you
believe are necessary to be a successful nurse?
selflessness, compassion, gentleness and intelligence
Additional
Comments: I have never regretted
my decision to become a nurse. I have had many
varied jobs and have learned much from them
all. Nursing as a profession has allowed me
the opportunity to become a part of people's
lives in ways that are not possible with most
career choices. I feel I am really making a
difference.
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Kandice
Bunselmayer, RN, BSN
3 MICU
Why did you choose to work
at LUHS?
Loyola is an independent hospital that has a strong
reputation of quality care. The facility has a
lot to offer its employees and students by being
a teaching hospital.
What do you like about working
for LUHS?
I like working at Loyola because of my co-workers.
The staff in the MICU are the kindest, most knowledgeable
nurses I have ever worked with.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
3 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Northern Illinois University
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
No
What do you like most about
your job?
I like the work experience. I also like that it
is a teaching hospital, allowing the team of doctors
to be available anytime they are needed.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
I never imagined that I would be a charge nurse
and a preceptor three years into my career.
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
Patients often say, "I will never forget
this unit; you saved my life."
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
You have to be a good listener with keen assessment
skills, but most importantly, have a thirst for
knowledge because you can learn a lot at a teaching
hospital.
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Jeanette
Cronin, RNC, BSN
Neonatal ICU
Why did you choose to work at LUHS?
In 1979 I relocated from New York to the Chicagoland
area and was looking to continue practicing in
a neonatal ICU. Loyola was very close to home
and had a good reputation.
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
As a staff member of the NICU, I am able to take
care of the most critically ill infant and also
care for those infants who are about to transition
home.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
26 + years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
The State University of New York at Stony Brook
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
No, my first job was at North Shore Hospital in
Manhasset, NY.
What do you like most about
your job?
It is rewarding to care for our most fragile critically
ill infants and provide evidence-based nursing
care. I also enjoy teaching parents and families
the skills to become empowered to successfully
transition their high-risk infant home.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
Work as a home care nurse as a member of Loyola's
Neonatal Home Care Team
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
Tthat I have helped them get through a very difficult
time in their lives
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
To become a successful nurse, you should start
with a strong knowledge base in nursing with a
desire to continue educating yourself in your
area of practice. A successful nurse practices
with care, respect and compassion for her or his
patients, treating the patient as you would like
to be treated yourself.
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Teresa
A. Fortenberry, RN, BSN
6 West
Why did you choose to work
at LUHS?
I started working for Loyola October of 1987,
after I graduated from nursing school. I chose
Loyola to further my education, and I got my BSN
from Loyola.
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
I enjoy the people I work with. I am very lucky
to have a manager whom I respect and look up to.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
18 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Triton College
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
Yes
What do you like most about
your job?
I like caring for my patients and their families
listening to them and giving them emotional support.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
Nurses today are more involved and an essential
part of a team of health care.
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
The nicest thing a patient has ever said to me
was that I'm a caring person.
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
Caring, compassionate, sensitive and nurturing
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Lynn
Graham, RN
Pediatric Clinic, Oakbrook Terrace
Why did
you choose to work at LUHS?
I chose Loyola because of its tertiary care center,
and it's a teaching hospital.
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
I like working with people who are dedicated to
patients.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
23 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Saint Mary's College
Was your first job here at Loyola?
Yes
What do you like most about
your job?
The variety of patients and subspecialists
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
I never imagined that I'd spend my entire career
in various aspects of pediatrics at Loyola.
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
"You have made a difference in our lives."
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
Flexibility, patience and dedication
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Pat
Hummel, RNC, MA, NNP, PNP
NICU
Why did you choose
to work at LUHS?
I chose to work at LUHS for many reasons. My husband's
job re-located us to the area in 1988. I worked
at community hospitals until 1994, when I started
at Loyola. I wanted to return to a university
setting with a Level III Neonatal Unit. I looked
around and decided that Loyola was the best combination
of academics, clinical practice and location,
and I felt that it would be a good match for me
professionally and personally.
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
I have been working at Loyola for more than 11
years. Previously, I had worked in nine different
hospitals; my longest previous employment was
four years. I always tell people "I love
what I do and who I do it with." I work with
the best people on the planet! They are great
professionals and wonderful people. My job is
challenging and rewarding. I am NEVER bored. The
combination of caring for infants and families
in the NICU and evaluating them in the developmental
clinic is optimal for me. It is a nice combination
of high technology and high touch.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
11 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Iowa Central Community College, University of
Kansas, University of Iowa
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
My first job was not at Loyola. I had worked in
nine other hospitals before I came here and had
done some teaching and home care. I have always
worked with infants and children, in pediatrics,
pediatric intensive care, neonatal intensive care
and newborn nursery.
What do you like most about
your job?
I like the combination I have of high-technology
and high-touch care. I have a lot of variety in
my work; I'm never bored.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
I am traveling around the United States, speaking
to nurses and physicians about neonatal pain assessment
and management. As part of my work in the NICU,
I created a pain assessment tool for neonates,
and it has become the most widely used neonatal
pain assessment tool in the United States and
also is being used around the world. It has been
translated into several languages.
What's the nicest thing a patient
has ever said to you?
I love talking baby talk to my patients -- and
they talk back! Seriously, one of the best parts
of my job is talking to parents -- helping them
through a very stressful time. I often have parents
tell me that they appreciate the time I spend
with them and appreciate that I am able to talk
to them at their level. One memorable experience:
I discovered a heart murmur in a baby in the NICU,
a twin, a few weeks old. Very quickly, the cardiologist
discovered that she had a serious but correctable
heart defect. I had to phone the parents; they
came to the hospital quickly, and I spent a lot
of time with them that day. Later that evening,
the bedside nurse told me that the parents wanted
to talk to me again. I was exhausted and could
not imagine what else they could want to ask me.
When I got to the bedside, the parents said, "Thank
you -- thanks for helping our baby and us through
this." I was stunned that these people, under
that much stress, could be so thoughtful. "Thank
you" is the best thing a parent can say.
I just received an e-mail today, from a parent
of a four-year old former preemie, thanking me.
I have received a Christmas card and picture of
a former patient every year, and he just graduated
college! On one picture of him running cross country
track, he had written, "Thank you for taking
such good care of me, Mrs. Hummel!" It is
a privilege to be a part of this miracle of birth
and survival against the odds.
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
Caring, intelligence, love people, love a challenge,
love learning, a passion to improve care and outcomes
and good communications skills
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Monica
Janicki, RN, BSN
3 MICU
Why did you choose
to work at LUHS?
I went to Loyola's nursing school and did many
of my clinical rotations here. I enjoyed the hospital,
staff and that it was a teaching hospital.
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
The knowledge and experience I have received while
working in MICU and all the wonderful people I
work with that are always willing to help in any
situation.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
2-1/2 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Loyola University Chicago
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
Yes
What do you like most about
your job?
The feeling and satisfaction I get when I see
a critically ill patient transfered or discharged,
especially when they walk up to the unit a month
later to visit.
What is something that you are doing
today that you never imagined you'd be doing when
you first began your career?
Helping families cope with their sick or dying
loved ones
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
A patient wrote a letter saying, "Thank you
for being my Guardian Angel and watching over
me all night. I really appreciate it and am forever
thankful to you."
What qualities do you believe are
necessary to be a successful nurse?
Intelligence, patience, empathy, and good communication
and organizational skills
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Tamera
Keith, RN
Mother/Baby/NBN
Why did you choose
to work at LUHS?
I heard (from a friend) about the wonderful antepartum/mother-baby
unit that deals with high-risk pregnancy patients
and the level II newborn nursery. I have always
been interested in both those areas of nursing.
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
I like that it's a teaching hospital. There is
lots of teamwork on the unit. I enjoy working
with all my co-workers. I also have a great manager
who asks for staff nursing input. That means a
lot to me.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
3 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Triton College
Was your first job here at Loyola?
No, I worked at nursing home for several years.
What do you like most about your job?
The newborn nursery with all the precious babies
and teaching new moms how to care for their newborns
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
Working at Loyola with high-risk antepartum patients
when at times they are very critical patients
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
"You have really made my hospital stay a
wonderful experience; you are the best nurse I've
had so far."
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
Be caring, compassionate and have lots of patience.
Always listen to your patients and be a good patient
advocate.
Additional Comments
I really love being
a nurse. I enjoy helping others in their time
of need. I also enjoy training new nurses and
making them a part of my team.
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Teri
Leonhardt, RN
Subspecialty Medicine, Oakbrook Terrace
Why did you choose
to work at LUHS?
I wanted a teaching hospital and heard a lot of
wonderful things about Loyola.
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
I've enjoyed working in different units and the
people (staff) are very caring.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
26 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Evanston Hospital School of Nursing
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
No, I worked at Evanston Hospital for one year
before graduating.
What do you like most about
your job?
I like variety in working several different clinics.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
Working in a subspecialty medical clinic at Oakbrook
Terrace Medical Center
What's the nicest thing a patient
has ever said to you?
Oh, I've had a lot of wonderful and kind comments
over the years. The craziest would be "To
the girl I've spent the hottest night of my life."
The patient had a fever of 103° - 104°
for one night in MICU.
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
To be a successful nurse, you need to be a caring
person, always looking out for your patients.
Don't worry about your feelings and remember the
patient always comes first. Also, be a great listener.
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Lisa
Millsap, PharmD, ACNP, CCRN, CNRN
2NEWS, Stroke and Neuroscience ICU
Why
did you choose to work at Loyola University Health
System (LUHS)?
I was able to get a position that allowed me to
utilize my pharmacy, nursing, and ICU backgrounds.
What do you like about working for
LUHS?
The variety of patients that we serve. Because
we are a referral center, you get to work with
patients that are more complicated and/or have
disease states that are not very common.
How many years have you been working
at LUHS?
Twenty-one months in my current position. Prior
to that I worked 2-½ years in 4ICU.
Where
did you attend nursing school?
Loyola
Was
your first job here at Loyola?
As a nurse, yes
What
do you like most about your job?
Being able to work with patients, nurses, residents,
attendings, and ancillary disciplines as a team
What
is something that you are doing today that you
never imagined you’d be doing when you first
began your career?
Giving public lectures
What’s the nicest thing a patient
has ever said to you?
We are so lucky to have you as part of my father’s
care.
What
qualities do you believe are necessary to be a
successful nurse?
Intelligence, patience, an inquisitive mind, and
compassion
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Anna
Milton, RN
6 NE, Medical Surgical
Why did you choose
to work at LUHS?
One of Chicago's top hospitals and good benefits
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
I like the staff that I work with. Everyone is
so nice, helpful and understanding.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
3 months
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Kankakee Community College
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
Yes
What do you like most about
your job?
The staff, so many opportunities for learning
and just being able to take care of my patients
and their families
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
"You took great care of me. Thank you."
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
Compassion, caring, patience, understanding, knowledgeable
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Donna
McCormack, MSN, APN/CNP
Perinatal Center
Why did
you choose to work at LUHS? 
I wanted to work in a teaching institution and
knew others who worked here and enjoyed it.
What do you like about working
for LUHS?
First and foremost, the people I work with are
terrific. Second, I love the fact that the system
provides such a great learning environment. I
learn something everyday I'm here -- not only
about medical conditions, but about caring for
people's spirits.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
17 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Northern Illinois University for BSN and Loyola
for MSN
Was your first job here at Loyola?
Yes, staff nurse on 2 North
What do you like most about
your job?
I get to do two things I love: take care of patients
and teach. The way my job is structured, I get
the best of both worlds.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
Quality improvements projects --I never realized
how important they were to patient care.
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
When they request me for their care, I consider
it the highest compliment.
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
The desire to continue to learn, to not fear asking
questions and, most importantly, to be an advocate
for the patient
Additional Comments
Nursing offers so many options that if
you aren't happy in one area of nursing, you can
go to another. If you aren't happy at the bedside,
you can teach, do research...the options are endless!
If I had do it all over, I would still be a nurse
and continue to encourage others to be.
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Brenda
M. Price, RN
4 ICU
Why did you choose
to work at LUHS?
For the experience and the adrenaline rush
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
I love the look on people's faces when I tell
them I work at Loyola on the trauma ICU. Then,
they ask me for the stories.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
5 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Elmhurst College
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
No, at Alexian Brothers Medical Center
What do you like most about
your job?
The feeling that I get when I truly help a family/family
member in need.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
Taking care of so many different patients with
different illnesses from different cultures and
social economic classes
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
A very sincere "thank you" for helping
to save the life of a loved one and a follow-up
e-mail with the status of that patient a year
later
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
Being calm, clear-headed, organized, work well
under pressure, able to handle stress well and,
most of all, to get along with others and be a
team player!
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Nancy Quandt, RN, CRNO
Outpatient Ophthalmology, Loyola Outpatient Center 
Why did you choose
to work at LUHS?
I wanted to work in an ambulatory setting. Loyola
had a progressive and large outpatient center.
It was a great opportunity for me.
What do you like about working for
LUHS?
I'm always learning. Loyola encourages and supports
you to better yourself with the clinical ladder.
I have always enjoyed the doctors, nurses and
other staff I work with at Loyola.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
20 years
Where did you attend nursing school?
Northern Illinois University
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
Almost, 20 years of my 22 years of nursing
What do you like most about
your job?
I love my patients. I love caring for them. They
appreciate what I do for them and look forward
to seeing me; that feels good.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
I never dreamed I would be an educator teaching
patients, inservicing staff and lecturing nationally.
I never thought I would be an expert in my field
and president of my Ophthalmic Professional/RN
Chapter.
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
"You made all the difference in the world.
You did more than help me with my eyes, you helped
me with my fears. You're what nursing is all about."
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
You must have patience, compassion and kindness
for not only your patients, but also your co-workers.
I try to see people through God's eye, then you
can't go wrong.
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Michelle
Gladys P. Ragasa, RN, BSN
3 NEWS, Medical Surgical
Why did
you choose to work at LUHS?
My aunt, who works in the Blood Bank, encouraged
me to work here. I also got attracted by the benefits
that Loyola is offering.
 What
do you like about working for LUHS?
Loyola, being a level III trauma hospital, gives
me the everyday challenge of taking care of patients
with multiple medical problems. There's never
a dull moment, and I learned so much since I started
here.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
6 years
Where did you attend nursing
school?
Chinese General Hospital College of Nursing, Manila,
Philippines
Was your first job here at Loyola?
No
What do you like most about
your job?
What I like most about my job is taking care of
the sickest patients and seeing them progress
to wellness.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
Be in charge of a 67-bed telemetry floor
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
"You're an angel.";"Can you be
my nurse again tomorrow?";"Thank you
for saving my life."
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
Compassionate, conscientious, team player, versatile,
knowledgeable, well-skilled, and, most of all,
patience
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Suzanne
Robertazzi, RN
3 MICU
Why did you choose
to work at LUHS? 
I knew I wanted to work at a teaching hospital,
and I was attracted to the Jesuit ideals and the
Magis philosophy of Loyola. When I came for my
interview, I met Becky, one of the medicine social
workers, and she was amazing; I was so impressed
with her that I knew I wanted to work at Loyola.
What do you like about working
for LUHS?
Loyola places a high priority on education and
the pursuit of knowledge; Loyola is a great place
to learn how to be a great nurse.
How many years have you
been working at LUHS?
6 years
Where did you attend nursing school?
Marquette University
Was your first job here
at Loyola?
On 6NE, the medical surgical floor
What do you like most about your job?
The nurses I work with are amazing. They have
become my mentors and taught me what nursing is
all about. Being part of an interdisciplinary
team also gives me a great feeling of satisfaction
and knowing that I am providing the best care
possible for my patients. The people I work with
make even the toughest day okay.
What is something that you
are doing today that you never imagined you'd
be doing when you first began your career?
Going to school for my Adult Nurse Practitioner
degree
What's the nicest thing
a patient has ever said to you?
I have had the pleasure of taking care of some
amazing people, but the nicest thing a patient
can say to me, and has, is a simple thank you.
What qualities do you believe
are necessary to be a successful nurse?
You have to not only be intelligent, but also
always have a willingness to learn new things.
Patience and flexibility are essential to nursing.
Nursing is a special calling; helping people in
their greatest time of need takes a special person.
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