Chippewa Falls, Wis. – HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital has named Vicky Steinmetz the recipient of the 2022 Keeper of the Tradition Award. The award, which is the highest honor a colleague can receive at the hospital, was presented May 11, 2022.
Vicky was born at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital and has worked in various departments over the last 43 years. Currently she is an inventory technician in supply chain who works to ensure colleagues have the supplies needed to care for patients, which has been an even more robust task during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through tears, as she received the award, Vicky said, “This is my vocation and I’m so glad I’m here; everybody helps everybody.”
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Director of Supply Chain Services, Angela Jager, says Vicky not only has a great relationship with colleagues, but also outside vendors, couriers and business partners critical to the hospital’s supply chain.
In his nomination letter, Vicky’s colleague, Lance Katcher says Vicky is always offering words of kindness and wisdom while using a calm voice and open heart.
“This woman has shown time and time again that St. Joseph’s Hospital is her home and it’s obvious she loves it with all her heart,” says Katcher.
A second peer-nomination letter from Brandy Sikora says Vicky is a true team player.
“Not only does Vicky show empathy and compassion, but she lends a hand to anyone that needs help; I cherish working with her every day.”
This marks the 20th year the HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Keeper of the Tradition Award has been given to a colleague who carries on the traditions of Christian hospitality, servant leadership and the mission of the Hospital Sisters into his or her everyday work.
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About HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the Founding Institute, and it is an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System. Since 1885, it has served the people of the Chippewa Falls area with health care that is high tech and high touch. Known locally for the quality of the care it provides patients, the hospital has been recognized nationally for its outstanding patient satisfaction levels.
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our physician practices and 15 local hospitals in two states - Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.