Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services | Gibson gets it! | Spring/Summer 2019

Gibson gets it! 7 Making their Pictured are GAHHS CEO Rob Schmitt; oncologist Patricia Johnson, MD, PhD; volunteer Shirley Jackson; Kris Holloway, daughter of Judy Petersen; physician presenter David J. Hagan, MD; and GAHHS Board of Directors President Martin Nuss. THE SUNDERLAND SOCIETY, named to honor the legacy of the late Dr. Paul Sunderland, whose dedication to Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services (GAHHS) left a lasting impression on the organization, recognizes individuals who have also made their mark at GAHHS. This year, three inductees were tapped for the honor. Beloved by patients Oncologist Patricia Johnson, MD, PhD, has been caring for patients in the Gibson Area Hospital (GAH) Outpatient Clinic for more than 25 years. Already established at GAHHS before Mark Spangler, MD, arrived in 1996, the Urbana-based oncologist with a wardrobe of colorful stethoscopes is described by Dr. Spangler as “reasonable, compassionate and honest” and “an example of patients and doctors working together.” “All the patients love her, and they’re so happy they can see her here,” Dr. Spangler says. Likewise appreciative and supportive of her patients, Dr. Johnson is grateful that her patients have access to both chemotherapy and great surgeons at GAHHS. “That’s been a wonderful thing,” she says. “I like practicing here. The hospital seems to know what doctors need to make a practice succeed.” Volunteer extraordinaire Gibson City native Shirley Jackson is the trifecta of GAHHS volunteers, serving as a “Smile Greeter,” a GAH Auxiliary gift shop clerk and an information desk attendant. Volunteering, however, is Jackson’s second career. First, the self-proclaimed “farm girl from Gibson” ventured north after graduating from Mennonite School of Nursing in Bloomington to spend the next 45 years at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where she served as an obstetrics nurse and then as an accomplished administrator. After experiencing decades of landmark changes in health care, including the introduction of disposable instruments and the advent of computers, as well as the construction of a new downtown Chicago hospital, Jackson returned to Gibson City to be near family again. Molly Augspurger, GAH Gift Shop Manager, is delighted to have Jackson among her team in the gift shop. “Shirley is a phenomenal volunteer and one of the most giving women I know,” Augspurger says. “Every time I see her, she puts a smile on my face with her friendly smile and her warm greeting. Jackson said she was honored to be inducted, adding, “It’s certainly a pleasure to volunteer at the hospital and see the growth here.” Steadfast leadership Judy Petersen, honored posthumously, graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in Champaign and worked at GAH for 30 years in the obstetrics department. David J. Hagan, MD, remembers Petersen as the no-nonsense head nurse who provided steadfast leadership that he believes contributed to the current success of the department. Petersen’s daughter Kris Holloway accepted the award on behalf of her mother, noting that she and her siblings knew when they were growing up how special their mom was, instilling that same no-nonsense work ethic in her children. “It’s nice that she is being recognized by her colleagues for her career,” Holloway says. Petersen’s passion for health care is being proudly carried on through two of her granddaughters, who are currently pursuing careers in medicine. MARK