Back row (left to right): Toni Tengblad, Nicolee Bollig, Morlan Sebranek, Joann Kuester, Maria Jurco, Diane Brown and James Burch. Front row: Laurene Wurster, Rachel Haworth, Florita Mattison, June Blaha, Angela Clark and Gina Labansky. (Contributed photo)
Toni Tengblad (right), chief of clinical operations at Gundersen St. Joseph’s, thanks nurse Laurene Wurster for her 45 years of service to Gundersen St. Joseph’s. (Contributed photo)
Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics recently honored long-serving employees at their annual company picnic and employee recognition event.
Altogether, 26 employees were honored for milestone years of service. Combined, they represent 340 years of service to Gundersen St. Joseph’s.
The longest-serving employee recognized at the event was Laurene Wurster, a registered nurse who was celebrating her 45th year with Gundersen St. Joseph’s.
Wurster earned her bachelor’s of science in nursing from the Viterbo School of Nursing in 1973 and quickly earned the title of head nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, providing oversight to multiple departments, such as medical/surgical, emergency, obstetrics and a 65-bed nursing home.
Toni Tengblad, chief of clinical operations at Gundersen St. Joseph’s, presented Wurster’s recognition.
“Within the multiple nursing roles that Laurene has held, she has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and open willingness to assist physicians and nurse colleagues in meeting the needs of patients. Her focus has always been on high-quality care,” Tengblad said.
As the years passed, Laurene took on new roles and now serves in the capacity of veterans’-service coordinator as well as assisting with new initiatives in disease management and pre-authorization.
Other individuals also celebrated milestones:
• Five years — James Burch, Rachel Kerian, Morlan Sebranek, Melissa Winchel, Tammie Skrabel, Toni Tengblad, Denise Kroes, Jessica Thompson, Joni Graewin, Maria Jurco, Paul Gasser and Florita Mattison
• 10 years — Kamela Quinnell, Lisa Verbsky and Penny Rieck
• 15 years — June Blaha, Rachel Haworth, Nicolee Bollig, Angela Novy, and Joann Kuester
• 20 years — Jenny Thompson and Angela Clark
• 25 years — Gina Labansky and Amy Sebranek
• 40 years — Diane Brown
• 45 years — Laurene Wurster
