Three employees were celebrated for reaching 40-year milestones
PPMC acting CEO Robert “Bob” Russell presents checks to 40-year employees (from left) Vernell Stewart, Roseann Rapa, and Christine Mathews. Pictured at far right is Mathews’ manager, Melissa Maminski.
On September 22, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center held its 56th Annual Employee Recognition Ceremony, returning as an in-person event after two years of virtual gatherings.
In addition to cocktails, dinner, and raffles, the evening featured remarks by Robert J. Russell, acting CEO; John D. Kelly, IV, MD, orthopedic surgeon; and Margorie Michele, MPA, PhD, associate vice president, Human Resources Operations, Penn Medicine. The highlight was a ceremony recognizing employees for their service, spanning 5 to 40 years.
Celebrating 40 years were Vernell Stewart, an instrument processing technician at Penn Medicine University City Central Processing; Roseann Rapa, MS, RRT, director of Respiratory Care; and Christine Mathews, RN, an infusion nurse at Abramson Cancer Center. Presby Bulletin asked each how their roles have evolved and what they considered their favorite part of the job.
What originally brought you to PPMC?
Stewart: In high school, I was in a program called the Neighborhood Youth Corps. The manager I worked under in Central Processing asked if I wanted to pursue a career in her department, and she gave me a chance. I was excited about it.
Rapa: I was working at Cherry Hill Medical Center on the evening shift and had a friend who worked at PPMC. I had an opportunity to interview and this is where I landed.
Mathews: I went to nursing school at Presbyterian for three years and when I finished, I applied for a job. They’d just completed a new building with all-private rooms, which attracted me, and offered an incentive bonus ($350) for anybody from the school to come work there.
How has your position changed over the years?
Stewart: I started as a tech, then became a supervisor on evening shift. I left for a year and returned as a tech, and that’s where I’ve stayed. I love every part of the Central Processing area, especially since we moved into the Cupp Pavilion. Back when I started, we didn’t have computers to help us count and name each instrument. The technology we have now makes everything easier.
Rapa: I started as a bedside critical care therapist and moved up the ladder a bit from there. I ended up in this position 20-plus years ago and have had some nice opportunities. There’s always something new, and we’ve grown a lot since I started here. My team has expanded from 20 people to 75. When the Trauma Center opened, we grew in leaps and bounds.
Mathews: I started out working on a medical-surgical floor and also took care of oncology patients. About 12 years ago, I decided to join the staff in outpatient infusion, which means I don’t work nights, weekends, or holidays anymore. When I first came, we had an IV team to place IVs, but now all the nurses insert the IVs ourselves.
What do you like best about your job?
Stewart: I love what I do. I love putting the instruments together and seeing the faces of people satisfied with the work we put out. I always wanted to work in a hospital and make a difference in people’s lives.
Rapa: Certainly the academic part of it is wonderful, and the talent we have here. I’m in awe of what my staff does every day. But the best part is the people. I meet and work with a lot of people and it’s just a nice place to be.
Mathews: We are responsible for giving chemotherapy treatment to the outpatients and that’s important work and very rewarding. I like being able to go home knowing every patient also went home. The patients are friendly and they know we’re providing a service that they need. It’s nice getting to know them.