The VNA of Northwest Indiana on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 presented several employees with years of service recognition awards and annual employee of the year awards.
Hospice nurse assistant Ruth Earnhart and Meals On Wheels of Porter County employee Irene Moore were both recognized for their 25 years of service to the VNA of NWI. Maria Galka, foundation director, was recognized for 20 years, while nurse Jeanne Kokinda was thanked for her 15 years of service. Gretchen Gibbs, Bill Muha, Rachel Shutske and Jill Wagner all received five year service recognition certificates as well.
Kokinda was also voted by her peers as the “Good Nurse of the Year Award.” She was nominated for her kind, compassionate and professional approach to patients and for being a mentor to new nurses. Shutske was awarded “Caregiver of the Year” for her service as a terrific nursing assistant. Beth Henn, admissions specialist, was chosen as “Support Staff of the Year,” and was overwhelmed by the vote of her peers. Dr. Arjun Gupta was voted physician of the year by an overwhelming margin.
Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper received the inaugural Joyce Alexa Advocacy Award for his support and advocacy of the VNA of Northwest Indiana.
“It was a great day and so fun to recognize not just our award winners, but also our entire team for their endurance and resilience over these past 18 months,” said Bob Franko, President/CEO of the VNA of NWI. “I was particularly privileged to present the two 25-year awards,” he said. “Ruth and Irene are both great examples of the kind of dedicated and wonderful people that exemplify our Making Best Days Possible mission, and doing it for a long time.”
The VNA of NWI is a nonprofit organization that provides hospice services, palliative care, Meals on Wheels of Porter County, LifeLine life alert services, and the Phoenix Center. It has offices in Valparaiso, Laporte and Crown Point. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.