For the first time since 2019, PAH held its annual Employee Service Awards in-person at a dinner reception, celebrating employees for their 5 to 50 years of service at the hospital. Among the honored employees were respiratory therapist William (Bill) Seiberlich, RRT and financial counselor Cassandra (Sandy) Sutton. Read about their unique paths to careers in healthcare and their most memorable moments at PAH.
William (Bill) Seiberlich, RRT, Respiratory Therapist – 40 Years
William (Bill) Seiberlich, RRT, center
Before Seiberlich became an expert in performing tests and procedures for pulmonary care at PAH, he was performing at concert venues, as a drummer in multiple rock bands in the Philadelphia and South Jersey region. “I started playing professionally for different bands at 16 years old, and eventually joined a band called Chaser,” he said. “Although, I find my second career to be more rewarding. I get to save patients’ lives.”
After traveling the country with bands on tours for nearly 10 years, Seiberlich decided to return to Pennsylvania to start a new career, enrolling at the Community College of Philadelphia. He chose a career in medicine, inspired by his wife who was a nurse. He was drawn to PAH after learning that his college professor had previously worked at the hospital, and in 1981, he accepted a position in Respiratory Therapy in the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN).
“I worked with physicians who wrote the book on respiratory therapy and neonatal care,” he said. “I worked with the best and the brightest. I still do. The people here are just exceptional.”
In the ICN, Seiberlich is more commonly known as “Uncle Bill” – a name coined by his colleagues. If an employee has a question on respiratory care, they can ask for Seiberlich’s expertise in “Uncle Bill’s House” – the name of his office. A colleague had made a sign with the name and gifted it to Seiberlich many years ago, he said.
Throughout his 40 years in this role – making him the longest-serving respiratory therapist in the history of PAH – Seiberlich has contributed to more than 200 research projects centered on neonatal care, covering topics such as pulmonary mechanics (airflow rate and lung volumes) and medication infusions. But the most gratifying part of his work is watching his patients, premature babies, get discharged from the ICN: “Seeing a baby go from a critical condition to then being carried out in their carriers to their families’ cars is heartwarming. It can’t get any more rewarding than that.”
Every few years, PAH hosts an ICN reunion, at which patients and their families gather at the hospital to reunite with their care teams. Seiberlich has cared for thousands of babies at PAH, and at every reunion, he enjoys reconnecting with many of his former patients and seeing them thrive.
“It’s wonderful seeing the impact your care had on a patient and being part of the families’ journeys,” said Seiberlich. “I feel like I’m making a mark that will last forever.”
Cassandra (Sandy) Sutton, Financial Counselor – 50 Years
Cassandra (Sandy) Sutton, center
Sutton is the voice you hear on the phone to discuss cost estimates for services at PAH, or the friendly face who greets you to discuss insurance plans and coverages. However, she is most notably known for her fashion – always matching her handbag and jewelry to her clothing, and never wearing the same outfit twice, according to her colleagues.
“I’ve been this way since elementary school,” Sutton said. “At one point, when I would decide on what to wear to work, I would take time to polish my finger nails to match my outfit.”
Sutton’s time at PAH began in 1971. She was a junior in high school and needed a summer job, so she worked in Medical Records to organize patient health information. After completing her summer position and starting her senior year, Sutton crossed paths on the bus with one of her former Medical Records co-workers, who informed her about an opening in the department.
“Next thing I knew, I called the director, had an interview, and was offered a job as a records clerk when I graduated,” she said.
After serving in Medical Records for several years, Sutton went onto Outpatient Registration where she checked in patients for ancillary tests for 29 years, and eventually shifted to her current role as a financial counselor, which she has served in for the past 16 years. Through these roles, she has enjoyed the personal interactions and conversations she’s had with patients, particularly being able to help them navigate care at the hospital. If someone seems lost, she goes out of her way to give them directions to their appointment; and she gladly answers patients’ financial questions for their care.
“I could be anywhere and someone will come up to me and say they remember when I helped them at PAH,” said Sutton. “It makes me feel good that they remember me. I must have treated them well”
Outside of PAH, it should come as no surprise that one of Sutton’s favorite hobbies is shopping (thus, never wearing the same outfit twice). But she especially loves shopping with her three grandchildren. “They call me Mom-Mom, and I love spending time with them. When they were babies – the youngest is now 8 – I used to push them in strollers throughout the stores,” she said.
In her 50 years at PAH, Sutton values the connections she’s made, sharing how the PAH community “feels like a family.”
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my team members, patients, and their families. People are nice and friendly,” Sutton said. “PAH is a beautiful environment to work in.”