Marsha Strutz-Amberg, RNCM, and Shelley Mueller, OT, received Guardian Angel awards as a result of a donation by Elsie Oesterreicher. "Oh they are just wonderful! I couldn't ask for better service," she said. "Nowhere could I have gone for better service. I just feel love for them and it was so nice to have them help me. I am fine now but I miss seeing the girls." From left: Rick Bourne, Home Heath United president and CEO; Shelley, Marsha, Terri Peterson, vice president – clinical services; and Denise Kellner, RN, PCM

Sue Everson, RNCM, received a Guardian Angel award as a result of a donation from Leo Rose. "All my nurses were very good but Sue was just excellent," he said. "She really deserves to be recognized as a Guardian Angel." From left: Cheryl Ortiz, RN, PCM; Sue; Terri Peterson and Rick Bourne.

Paige Pickarts, RNCM, received a Guardian Angel award as a result of a donation from Catherine Pratt. "I have never met a recently graduated RN with such compassion, genuine personality, intellect and professionalism. Do ALL YOU CAN to keep her!" said Ms. Pratt. From left: Cheryl Ortiz, Paige, Terri Peterson and Rick Bourne.

Maria Wadzinski, RN Madison East, was nominated for a Guardian Angel award by Milo Swenson. From left: Rick Bourne, Maria, Lynne Willer, Mary McKenna. Mr. Swenson said: "They are friendly and took good care of me. They are just wonderful people. I am very happy with everyone who represents HHU!"

Mary Abalos, RN Madison West, received a Guardian Angel award as the result of an anonymous donation. From left: Rick Bourne, president & CEO; Mary, Lynne Willer, RN, home health program director; Mary McKenna, RN, patient care manager. According to the donor: "She was good to have come here. She knew her work well. Mary was just pleasant to have come help me."

Tina Zander, companion caregiver, received a Guardian Angel award as a result of a donation from Paul Martinelli, who said: "Tina is the best thing to happen to me. She's my Guardian Angel and she helps me out a lot. I'm not able to live on my own without help and she does that. She shoveled snow for me so I can get my meals and the bus. She cleaned my whole house." From left: Rick Bourne, president & CEO; Christi Archer, RN, community health services manager; Terri Peterson, RN, vice president – clinical services; and Julie Hitt, RN, companion care supervisor.

Jo Ann Maciorowski, companion caregiver, received a Guardian Angel award from Anita Gurda who said: "I have enjoyed knowing Jo Ann. She is gracious and just wonderful. I am 90 and people come into the house to help, but Jo Ann is someone I can call a friend." From left: Rick Bourne, Christi Archer, Jo Ann, Terri Peterson, Julie Hitt.

Amy Lahr, customer service representative, received a Guardian Angel award for assisting patients to their vehicles. With Amy are: Rick Bourne, Brian Kelly and Tim Shatzel.

This group of Madison West employees was given Guardian Angel awards for assisting special needs staff members to exit the building during a fire. (Left to right) Rick Bourne, Celine Fitzgibbon, customer service supervisor; Brian Kelly, director of HME; Christi Archer, CHS manager; Brian Lutz, inventory and purchasing manager; Sam Gauger, delivery tech supervisor; and Tim Shatzel, vice president of Home Medical Equipment.

Clarence and Ellen Kroah nominated Katie Baumgartner, Home Health Aide, for a Guardian Angel award. (left to right) Lynne Willer, RN, Home Health Program Director, Deb Plendl, RN, Patient Care Manager, Katie Baumgartner, Home Health Aide, Terri Peterson, RN, Vice President Clinical Services and Rick Bourne, President & CEO.

David and Carol Peck nominated John Navine, RN, and Darlene Zeman, Home Health Aide, for Guardian Angel awards. (left to right) Rick Bourne, President & CEO, Lynne Willer, RN, Home Health Program Director, John Navine, RN, Darlene Zeman, Home Health Aide, Deb Plendl, RN, Patient Care Manager, and Terri Peterson, RN, Vice President Clinical Services.

Claire James nominated Andrea Hansen-Nelson, RN, for a Guardian Angel award. (left to right) Lynne Willer, RN, Home Health Program Director, Rick Bourne, President & CEO, Andrea Hansen-Nelson, RN, Deb Plendl, RN, Patient Care Manager, and Terri Peterson, RN, Vice President Clinical Services.

Luella Cassity nominated Yvonne Rosenthal, home health aide, and Emily Achenson, RN, for Guardian Angel awards. (left to right) Rick Bourne, Yvonne, Denise Gloede, and Emily Achenson.

Bess Little nominated Sandy Lobe, spiritual counselor, for a Guardian Angel award. (left to right) Rick Bourne, Sandy and Denise Gloede.

Mildred Bruhn nominated John Van Dyke, RN, for a Guardian Angel award. (left to right) Denise Gloede, John and Rick Bourne.

Jim Bolgrien nominated Lois Weyh, LPN, for a Guardian Angel award. (left to right) Denise Gloede, Lois and Rick Bourne.

The family of Russel Salswedel nominated Mike Amberg, spiritual counselor, for a Guardian Angel award. (left to right) Denise Gloede, hospice program director, Mike and Rick Bourne, HHU president and CEO.

Several members of the hospice staff were unable to attend the presentation when Patty Spragg nominated the whole hospice staff for Guardian Angel awards. (left to right) Rick Bourne, Molly Pettit, RN, Maria Hanson, social worker, Vicky Murdock, RN, Suzie Van Horn, RN, and Denise Gloede.

Gwendolyn Ellis nominated Frieda Schowalter for a Guardian Angel award. (from left) Jane Bernatovich, physical therapy supervisor, Frieda Schowalter, physical therapist, Rick Bourne, president and CEO.

Janice Schaub nominated Rachel Lauer for a Guardian Angel award. (from left) Rick Bourne, president and CEO, Jane Bernatovich, physcial therapy supervisor, Rachel Lauer, physical therapist assistant, and Mary Jean Eisenga, rehab program director.

Patty Spragg nominated the whole hospice staff for Guardian Angel awards.

Clarence and Ellen Kroah nominated Sarah Nguyen, OT, and Katie Baumgartner, home health aide, for Guardian Angel awards. (Katie was unable to attend the presentation.) Terry Peterson, vice president clinical services, Mary Jane Eisenga, rehab program director, Sarah and Rick Bourne, president and CEO.

Dale Williams and Bernice Herritz both nominated Sandy Lobe, spiritual counselor, for Guardian Angel awards. Denise Gloede, hospice director, Sandy, Terry Peterson, vice president clinical services and Rick Bourne, president and CEO.

The Virginia Keller family nominated Sally Vanwormer, home health aide, and Emily Achenson, RN, for Guardian Angel awards. Denise Gloede, hospice director, Sally, Emily, Terri Peterson, vice president clinical services, and Rick Bourne, president and CEO.

Jim and Kathy Richardson nominated Rachel Lauer, PT, for a Guardian Angel award. Terri Peterson, vice president clinical services, Jane Bernatovich, PT supervisor, Rachel, Rick Bourne, president and CEO.

Glen Smith, husband of a hospice patient, nominated Amanda Mertens, RN Case Manager, and Shelley Mussehl, RN Case Manager, for Guardian Angel awards. (From left) Rick Bourne, President and CEO, presented the awards to Shelley and Amanda along with Laurie Millard, RN, Patient Care Manager, and Lynne Willer, RN, Home Health Program Director.

An anonymous donor nominated Patty Haylock, Home Health Aide, for a Guardian Angel award. "Patti was wonderful and very caring to my husband. He looked forward to her visits and was very happy with her care. No one could take her place," the donor wrote. From left: Rick Bourne, President and CEO; Patty, Laurie Millard, RN, Patient Care Manager; and Lynne Willer, RN, Home Health Program Director.

James and Georgette Fiedler, and Joyce Gaffney nominated Tom Melah, RN, for Guardian Angel awards. "A very kind, thoughtful person who really kept up my spirits," Joyce Gaffney wrote. From left: Pat Leonhardt, RN, Intake/UR and Reimbursement Manager; Deb Plendl, RN, Patient Care Manager; Tom, Terri Peterson, RN, Vice President Clinical Services; and Rick Bourne, President and CEO.

Thomas Toolis nomined Vicky Murdock, RN, for her second Guardian Angel award. Presenting the award were: Rick Bourne, President and CEO; Terri Peterson, RN, Vice President Clinical Services; and Denise Gloede, RN, Hospice Director.

The Barbara Beecraft family nominated Suzie Van Horn, RN, and Marilyn Green, social worker, for Guardian Angel awards. From left: Rick Bourne, President and CEO; Suzie, Marilyn, Terri Peterson,RN, Vice President Clinical Services; and Denise Gloede, RN, Hospice Director.

Milo Swenson nominated Meals on Wheels volunteer Sylvia Williams for a Guardian Angel award. Rick Bourne, President and CEO, presented the award at the San Damiano Friary in Monona, a pick up point for Meals on Wheels.

Helmut Stankevicious nominated Kay Fry, Home Health Aide, for a Guardian Angel award. From left: Denise Gloede, RN Hospice Director; Terri Peterson, RN, Vice President Clinical Services; Kay, and Rick Bourne, President and CEO.

The family of Virginia Keller nominated Jennifer Simon, home health aide, for a Guardian Angel award. From left: Denise Gloede, RN, Hospice director, Jennifer, Rick Bourne, and Terri Peterson, RN.

The Virginia Keller family also nominated Natalie Westegard, Social Worker, Sandy Lobe, Spiritual Counselor, and Molly Pettit, RN, for Guardian Angel awards. From left: Terri Peterson, RN, Vice President Clinical Services; Natalie, Rick Bourne, Sandy, Denise Gloede, RN, Hospice Director; and Molly.

The Virginia Keller family also nominated Norma Owen, home health aide, for a Guardian Angel award. From left: Denise Gloede, RN, Hospice Director; Terri Peterson, Vice President Clinical Services; Norma Owen, and Rick Bourne, President and CEO.

Connie Mason Burke nominated Jan Gruber, Hospice RN, for a Guardian Angel award. From left: Rick Bourne, President and CEO, Jan, Terri Peterson, RN, Vice President Clinical Services, and Denise Gloede, RN Hospice Director.

Cathy Chandler, OT, received another Guardian Angel award as a result of a gift from Anne Bruno who wrote, “As an OT, Cathy helped most in the “recovery” (as much as possible) of my right broken humerus with excellent exercises and massages.” Cathy received a Culvers gift card from Rick Bourne, president and CEO, and Mary Jean Eisenga, rehab program director.

Sharon Schuler, PTA, Jenny Gorelich, OTA, and Cathy Chandler, OT, received Guardian Angel pins and certificates from Rick Bourne, president and CEO, Mary Jean Eisenga, rehab program director and Jane Bernatovich, PT supervisor. Sharon Hanushewicz made a donation to honor her caregiving team. “The world needs caring, compassionate nurses. They were special blessings to me when I needed help, " Ms. Hanushewicz wrote.

Kathy LaPhilliph, PT, received her second Guardian Angel recognition from Rick Bourne, president and CEO, and Jane Bernatovich, PT supervisor. Frances Koenig nominated Kathy and said , "Through her encouragement, she performed a miracle each visit to help me stand and walk, neither of which I could do until she started her therapy."

Denise Juve, OTA, received her Guardian Angel pin and certificate from Rick Bourne, president and CEO, and Mary Jean Eisenga, rehab program director. She was honored by Frances Koenig who said, "Denise helped me strengthen my muscles and showed me how easily and helpful daily chores could be accomplished."

Kris Sorenson, RN, received her Guardian Angel pin and certificate from Rick Bourne, president and CEO, along with Terri Peterson, RN, vice president of clinical services. Margorie Fontana nominated Sorenson and home health aides Katie Baumgartner, Darlene Zeman and Linda Watson. She had this to say about them:

"The girls are excellent caregivers and they are always upbeat and bring joy into my home. All of them have good personalities. I'm in bed and can't walk and when they come in with their smiles, it means so much. They are cheerful in different ways and have nice families that they talk about to me. You sure picked good ones to do this work!"

Jean Frank, RN, received her third Guardian Angel award from Rick Bourne, president and CEO. Terri Peterson, RN, vice president clinical services, was also present to congratulate her. In her nomination Shanna Yule said this:

"Jean was a wonderful, caring skilled nurse. She did all she could in order to make my treatments go smoothly in a friendly and efficient way. I will always thank her for her time and the difference she made in my life!"

Betty Petry, RN IV referral coordinator, received her Guardian Angel pin and certificate from Rick Bourne, president and CEO. Terri Peterson, RN, vice president clinical services, was also present.

The family of Barbara Becraft nominated Betty along with Donna Van Horn, RN, and Marilyn Green, social worker. In their nomination the family wrote this: "No words can say how thankful we were for the nurses, aids, social worker and ministerial staff that were assigned to our Sister Barb. They were supportive, compassionate, caring and went the extra mile to make her as comfortable as possible. They showed concern for not only Barb's welfare but her family too. Their knowledge and compassion in sharing that knowledge with Barb and her family helped us understand what she was going through as well as what to expect so there were no surprises. We were always informed of what to expect next and felt comfort that we could always call on them if we had questions. They were indeed Guardian Angels in our eyes and we are sure our sister Barb would have said the same. God Bless them and thank God for people like them!"

Vicky Wilcox, CMA, at St. Clare Hospice House, received her Guardian Angel pin and certificate from Rick Bourne, president and CEO of Home Health United.

Vicky was named a Guardian Angel by Michelle Macleish for the care she gave her mother, Dolores Peasall while she was a resident at the St. Clare Hospice House. "They spent so much time talking to her, they really became her friends. She felt so comfortable with everyone and they did so much; getting her ready, doing her nails, dressing her, washing her, making special meals, doing puzzles with her and just listening to her," she said.

Deb Benisch, patient account rep team lead, Celine Fitzgibbon, lead customer service rep, and Judy Brandenburg, patient account rep, received their Guardian Angel pins and certificates at Madison West.

The anonymous donor said "All three did an outstanding job in answering the "hot line" regarding the Medicare Provider mix up. They explained the mix up appropriately and put the patients at ease. Thank you for all you do!"

"The girls are excellent caregivers and they are always upbeat and bring joy into my home. All of them have good personalities. I'm in bed and can't walk and when they come in with their smiles, it means so much. They are cheerful in different ways and have nice families that they talk about to me. You sure picked good ones to do this work!"

Your staff have all been so wonderful and an expert in each of their fields of work.

Mary - She took care of my vital signs, the wounds on my legs and when necessary gave me shots. She nursed me back to health.

Katie - Through her encouragement, she performed a miracle each visit to help me stand and walk, neither of which I could do until she started her therapy.

Denise - She helped me strengthen my muscles and showed me how easily and helpful daily chores could be accomplished.

Myrna - She encouraged my husband and me to be aware of the help available in order to stay in our home, or assisted living if needed. She also wrote up an order for emergency care (DNR).

Vicky and all the girls went above and beyond for Mom. They spent so much time talking to her, they really became her friends. Julie talked to her all the time about family and it helped when they could not be there.

She felt so comfortable with everyone and they did so much; getting her ready, doing her nails, dressing her, washing her, making special meals...doing puzzles with her and just listening to her.

Jay was just the nicest man. He was very helpful to me and I enjoyed seeing him all the time and we always got along. We talked about alot of things while he was giving me therapy. I really enjoyed his work and wanted to help in some way.

All of your nurses were very professional and nice. They were very good to me. Gail just went the extra mile. She wanted to make sure I was doing the exercises right and she was very gentle.

"We nominated Corinna (Engel) and John (Navine) because they were always nice, always pleasant. And when we had questions, they always gave us information on my illness."

"Jean (Frank) is thoughtful and considerate, very thorough in her job. She is a good person for the job."

The Hospice Team took good care of Dad. He and Mom were always happy to see them. Dad's home, he is on the mantel but they really took care of him in Hospice. If meds or anything were needed, they picked them up (Mom does not drive.) And they did a great job of explaining things to my folks even if Mom did not want to hear it.

Not only did the hospice team provide my mother with the best care ever, they all treated my entire family with dignity and respect. I am so glad things worked out the way they did for her. With the help of HHU Hospice she did have a "wonderful end of life."

When he got home from the hospital, George wasn't moving very much. Kathy got him up out of his chair and doing exercises. She praised every effort he made. He was always glad to see her.

Anita had wanted to give Jo Ann a monetary gift at Christmas - however Jo Ann explained she could not accept such a gift, so Anita wrote the check out to HHU to honor Jo Ann.

"Vicky was always there. She gave me her personal phone number and said I could call her at any time. That meant a lot. She was always nice and I liked her, so did my wife."