Working in health care is no easy task, but with the right group of people, even the most challenging days can be successful and worthwhile. This is the case for NW Indiana ER and Hospital, where the close-knit staff comes to work each day with a smile on their face knowing they get to make a difference in patients’ lives with their second family.
“With their overall demeanor, they’re such a joy to be around,” said Director of Marketing Kevin Frazier. “The job in health care can be stressful, especially in the ER, but they always maintain a positive upbeat attitude. These guys here never have a bad day. I mean, it may be a stressful day, but it's never a bad one. That's what makes it so special about being around these guys; it feels like your family.”
CEO Scott Samlan also expressed his gratitude for working with his staff. Even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital stood strong in any challenge thrown its way.
“This year has had many ups and downs but I am grateful to work alongside my staff. During this pandemic, we stood strong together and supported one another. For each of us, our families, and our patients,” Samlan said.
Frazier saw this positive, family-like environment blossom from the very beginning. When he realized just how passionate everyone was about their job and the work ethic they put forward, Frazier knew he had found something special in his workplace.
“One of my favorites is our ribbon cutting. When we first opened, just the sheer joy and excitement that was upon every staff member in the space was wonderful to see. We actually had our ribbon cutting while our hospital doors were opening and while we were seeing patients. The sheer joy and excitement that was on everyone's faces and the sense of pride that everyone had when it came to finally seeing this come to fruition was amazing. We were planning for months upon months upon months and years upon years to bring this to fruition,” Frazier said.
Frazier also said he enjoys when the hospital puts on bigger events because it allows everyone to be involved and offers more opportunities for bonding outside of work.
“We've done the Fourth of July parade, we've done trunk-or-treats and whatnot together and it's just what I love about this staff. It's just all in, all hands on deck. We have the type of environment where the next person to the right of me has my back or has me covered and that's pretty much the mentality that we have woven here in the ER,” Frazier said.
Much of this camaraderie is because many staff members have worked together prior to working at the hospital. Since some connections have already been established in years past, working together now allows for these connections to deepen and allows people to know their coworkers on a more personable level.
“These guys already know each other and a lot of them wanted to make the move to this hospital together to be with each other. Our entire radiology department has known each other for around 13 years,” Frazier said.
Goce Lazoski, lead radiologic technologist at the hospital, adds that the longevity of these relationships makes it easier to know how everyone works, which leads to more efficient results when it comes to patient care.
“We understand each other a little better. We know what we all prefer and how we like things, and that makes this more streamlined when things need to be done. We’ve worked with each other so long that we just know what needs to be done without having to double-check and hold up any kind of patient care,” Lazoski said.
Some staff members, in addition to their passion for healthcare, came to the hospital simply because they’d be welcomed into a close-knit community with friendly faces and open arms. This is especially true for the nursing department.
“Our nursing staff has known each other for quite some time since a lot of them have worked under our chief nursing officer, Amanda Jensen. She was previously a charge nurse before taking the position here. A lot of the nurses just wanted to come over and be a part of this with her,” Frazier said.
“The overall atmosphere and the overall culture is that all these people already enjoy working with and for Amanda, and not to mention the doctors are all personable,” Frazier added. “It really feels like we're just one big family here and we've meticulously chosen staff based on whether or not they'd be a good culture fit when it comes to our family environment here. We're proud to say that we haven't missed it yet since we've opened. Everyone's still here, and everyone still enjoys working here.”
Lazoski also mentioned everyone enjoys helping one another out, which adds to the close bonds already established.
“Every time I think about this place, I think about the teamwork that we have. There's nothing more important to us as a family than teamwork and the close-knit staff that we have,” Lazoski said.
The hospital staff also sees patients as part of the family as well.
“It's a family environment here and we extend that to our patients, too. Any patient that comes here we basically bring them into our family. We treat them as if they're one of our own, like our own flesh and blood. We take as much time as possible with them before we send them on their way or before they leave this facility,” Frazier said.
“We have a lot to be grateful for. I work at a job I love and for a hospital whose mission I feel connected to, and I'm surrounded by people I admire and respect. I'm grateful for our staff who care so deeply for our patients and colleagues,” added Samlan.
Even with the hectic environment that comes with working in health care, the hospital staff has full confidence they can get any job done well since they have each other to turn to for help and support.
“I don't know of anyone here that doesn't enjoy coming to work,” Frazier said. “Working in health care does have its moments where it can be stressful, especially with the pandemic and whatnot. There are a lot of folks in health care that just want to quit based on how stressful it is. But we have a team in an environment that just looks after one another and everyone's got each other's back. No one has to worry if someone's having a bad or off day. We have staff to pick each other up.”
“We're like one big family. It's like being at home. Whether I'm here or at home, I’m just always happy,” Lazoski added.
For more information on NW Indiana ER and Hospital, visit https://www.nwindianaer.com/.
