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Northwestern Medicine

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PERSON_PROFILE

Congratulations to these six Northwestern Medicine employees celebrating 45 years of service. Keep reading to learn what keeps them motivated after all these years.

1. Ellen Braun, BSN, RN, BC, a nurse in the Surgical Care Center at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, has had various nursing roles, but bedside care remains her favorite.
“I love direct patient care; it’s my passion,” Ellen says.

“Long-term bedside nurses like me are rare, but we’re still needed. As a nurse, you touch thousands of lives, and you do the best you can for them during the hours you’re with them.”

2. Bob Crudo, a perioperative care technician at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, credits his mom for urging him to apply for the job. “My Ma worked in Medical Records at Palos Hospital at the time and kept bugging me to apply,” Bob recalls.

He got the job, and 45 years later, he’s touched the lives of countless patients, visitors and staff. “It’s not just a job. I like being compassionate,” Bob says. “I hear from patients or family members who remember me from 10 or 15 years ago because I helped them through a hard time.”

3. Jean Kostelansky began her career at Northwestern Medicine in 1979 after graduating from nursing school in Pennsylvania. She worked in clinical and management roles for nearly 20 years and is now a director of Philanthropy.

Jean says the most rewarding part of her career is helping patients through difficult times. “That’s why I do what I do,” she says.

4. Kelly Ryan, an X-ray radiology technologist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, always wanted to work for a reputable hospital that would offer growth opportunities. She found that at Northwestern Medicine.

Her most memorable moments come from patient interactions. “I carry many memories with me of patients who shared their stories and reached out to bless me for the care I provided,” says Kelly.

5. Lorenzo Smith, a Supply Chain technician, began his career in Food Service, delivering trays for 15 years before moving to Supply Chain. Now he oversees medical supplies for the Emergency Department.

Lorenzo shares that his top priority is ensuring patients receive what they need — a value he shared with his late mother, who worked in a similar role at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital.

6. In nearly 50 years as a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, Kathy Woodin, RN, CCRN, has served as registry nurse, charge nurse and mentor. She began her career at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital in 1974, finding her passion at the bedside in the ICU.

After a brief break to have her first child, she returned in 1979. “I love being at the bedside and taking care of patients, and I love mentoring the younger nurses. It’s exciting to see their growth,” Kathy says.

Thank you all for your dedication and years of service in providing exceptional patient care.

Northwestern Medicine

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