Beacon Health System

Beverly Post did not set out to change the world through nursing. She set out to be a wife and a mom. She chose nursing because she could work part time and still be home for her family. She started as an LPN, became an RN four years later and settled in on the night shift at Beacon Plainwell. That was 43 years ago. She has never left and she has never wanted another shift. Nursing school was a revelation for a young woman raised conservatively in private schools. The clinical world was, she says, quite shocking at times. But an instructor helped her find her footing and her faith. "I need to keep what happens at work, things I see and do, and leave it there." In 2011, Beverly lost her husband Kevin in a tragic work-related accident. Suddenly she was a widow with two of her four children still at home and a life that had to be rebuilt from the ground up. Her manager and her colleagues wrapped around her and gave her the time she needed. "I will forever be grateful to them," she says. When the kids left for college and the Navy, she returned to full time. The unit that had always felt like home became something she could not imagine her life without. She raised four children, working part time and PRN, adjusting her hours around school plays and soccer games and everything in between. Now they live all over the country, and she was recently blessed with her eighth grandchild. Outside the hospital, she tends her flowers, travels when she can and says camping is the best. "I'm not sure what the Lord has in store for me, but I want to spend more time traveling with friends and seeing my family." She plans to keep going. Her career has never been just a job. "This truly is a calling. You give so much of yourself to meet the demands of the patients, the fast pace of the ER, the stressors of family and death." The team she works with keeps her going. Every nurse brings something different. One is great with math. Another is lightning fast with an IV. One likes inserting nasogastric tubes. One never stops communicating. "Working together is everything. This makes the shift go smoothly and safely. But I am not ready to be done with my work buddies yet."

A pastor walked into the emergency room one night and asked if he could bless Doug White's hands for healing. Doug had just come off one of the hardest shifts of his career. He felt exhausted and depleted. He even wondered if he had chosen the right path. The very next night, that pastor came in. "It was a deeply surreal moment," Doug says. "Coming right after a shift that had tested my limits, it felt like a powerful sign that I was exactly where I was supposed to be, despite the hardships of the job. That experience stayed with me and continues to remind me of my purpose on difficult days." There have been other times when he has needed that reminder. Early in his career, a patient came into the emergency room in severe distress. Doug did his best to comfort and reassure him the pain would be managed. But the patient was terrified, instinctively feeling that something was deeply wrong. The test results confirmed his fear. He passed away shortly after. The patient's parents later sent a thank-you card to the department, mentioning specifically the empathy and comfort Doug had provided during their son's visit. "This experience was devastating, but it profoundly shaped my nursing career. It taught me to never minimize a patient's symptoms, no matter how typical they may initially appear. I always honor a patient's intuition, treating every presentation with the clinical gravity it deserves and remembering that behind every symptom is a human being trusting us with their life." Doug joined Beacon Dowagiac earlier this year. His colleagues joke that he is a local celebrity because patients request him by name and former patients stop him around town just to say hello and thank him. "Exceptional nursing goes beyond just checking off clinical tasks. It requires taking the time to truly understand the individual." Nursing has shaped the way Doug moves through the world outside the hospital. Within his circle of family and friends he has become a trusted voice for health concerns they might otherwise keep to themselves. And he has learned something that stays with him in every difficult moment, personal or professional. "Anger is often just a mask for underlying fear." His colleagues carry him through the hardest shifts. A moment of humor. Someone who knows his favorite snack. "These actions are far from trivial. They are tangible reminders that we are looking out for one another." To those considering nursing, his advice is hard won and heartfelt. "Entering this field is akin to becoming a parent. People can try to describe nursing, but you cannot truly understand the depth of the emotions or the impact it will have on your life until you experience it firsthand."

Allegan, Michigan just got some well-deserved national recognition. Money Digest named it one of the most beautiful Great Lakes cities where people can retire comfortably, pointing to its lakeside beauty, affordability and access to quality healthcare, including Beacon Allegan. “As a locally owned, locally led health system, we've seen firsthand what makes Allegan special,” said Greg Piper, President of Beacon Allegan. “Our community is our home. Our team lives here, works here and is committed to caring for our neighbors every day.” From family medicine to heart, cancer and brain health, Beacon Allegan is proud to be part of what makes this a place people want to call home. Read the full feature: https://bit.ly/4uoLVOw

Mary Szczechowski believes that connecting with heart is done in the small moments. She remembers a trauma patient from years ago who had sustained a serious leg injury. She sat with him, showing him the pictures of his leg at the time of the accident that were provided by his surgeon. He had a hard time accepting his injury and was in and out of the hospital several times after that admission. But in that moment, what he needed was not a clinical intervention. He needed someone to stay. "I was able to take some time with him when he needed it and give him a moment to grieve and process his injury," she says. In the 15 years she has spent at Memorial Hospital caring for orthopedic, neuro and trauma patients, she has learned that these moments matter. Learning something personal about a patient, sharing a brief connection, pausing long enough to really listen. These are the things that make a difference in a patient's stay. "Those moments where you are able to learn personal things about your patients and have some connection are what really makes a difference." Mary was inspired to become a nurse by her mother, who spent most of her career in home care. "She is the most selfless person I know, and she took pride in being a nurse and helping people." That example has shaped every shift Mary has worked since. Every patient interaction is about making the most of each moment. Making eye contact. Listening to a story or a concern without rushing. "Building rapport and gaining a patient's trust can make all the difference, even with a more challenging patient situation." The team around her today on 8 South keeps her grounded in that purpose. Her nursing colleagues, nursing assistants, case managers, providers and a manager she describes as amazing — everyone lifts one another up when things get tough. To anyone considering nursing, Mary says it's all about finding the right fit. "Find people who support and guide you in the right way. You do have the power to make a difference."

The patients Jason Belt remembers most are not the critical cases. They are the ones whose fear fills the room before he even says a word. The people having the worst day of their lives who just need someone to sit with them and make everything feel less frightening. "When you can see the weight of the fear fall off them, I know I have done a good job." He remembers nursing moments like this one. A patient came in for something routine but was anxious about being in the hospital. Her daughter was with her. Jason found himself talking about nothing in particular — family, grandkids and easy ordinary conversation. By the time he left, both the patient and her daughter felt better. The daughter told him she could tell he really loved his job. "It is days like that where I get to make them feel like they are getting the best care and they are in good hands." Jason did not always know he would end up here. He was searching for direction when he visited his grandfather in the hospital and watched his nurse move through the room, doing his work, pausing to talk, then excusing himself to see the next patient. When he left, Jason's grandfather turned to him. "You could do that," he said. "Why don't you go to nursing school and get a career instead of just another job." And so he did. He has been a nurse for 17 years, the last six in the Emergency Department at Beacon Kalamazoo. Patients and families sometimes ask what made him choose this path. When he tells them, the response is almost always the same. "You can tell you really like your job, and your grandpa would be so proud," they say. Hearing that is when Jason knows he is exactly where he should be. Still, there are hard days in the ED when he is pulled in every direction. "When I don't get to spend as much time with patients, I feel like I am failing them," he says. But he never stops trying. He is honest about what awaits those who choose nursing. It is fast paced, ever changing and physically and mentally demanding. "But no matter how much you know, there's always more to learn." And that, to Jason, is exactly the point.

We all know someone impacted by cancer. On June 13, the South Bend Cubs and Beacon Health System invite our community to come together for Cancer Awareness Night. Through the jersey auction, fans can honor a survivor or remember a loved one by placing their last name on the back of a player’s game-worn jersey. Every bid helps support patients receiving cancer care at Beacon. Auction ends May 31 at 6 p.m. EST. Jersey auction: https://lnkd.in/gewEJHKF Tickets: https://lnkd.in/gYKWbAfZ

She learned what nursing could be by watching her grandmother. Krystel Reyes is originally from the Philippines. Her grandmother worked in the U.S. as a healthcare provider in a nursing home, and her example stayed with Krystel — dedication, compassion and daily choice to show up for those who needed care. "Caring for others is something I find deeply meaningful and rewarding," Krystel says. "I believe it takes both heart and courage." Early in her nursing career, Krystel cared for a premature newborn for many months. A bond formed between them as she watched him fight. Despite everything she and the team gave, the baby didn't make it. She was caring for his family at the same time, supporting them through their grief while navigating her own. "That experience taught me how deeply nursing can impact you as a person. It also helped me understand the importance of resilience, while recognizing when to step back and seek support or guidance from others." Krystel joined Elkhart General Hospital earlier this year, bringing her nursing experience to the Flexible Acuity Unit. Connecting with heart, she says, means making patients feel seen, heard and valued. Being sick and hospitalized can make someone feel vulnerable, she says, and nurses are there to advocate, offer empathy and encouragement. It also extends to colleagues. During a busy shift, when someone is overwhelmed, she steps in without being asked. "It's not just about completing tasks, but about genuinely caring for one another as professionals." Nursing has given her a deeper appreciation for both life and death. "It has taught me to value each moment and the people around me," she says. Her family keeps her grounded. "Even though we are miles apart, I continue to feel their unwavering support in every decision and path I take." To anyone considering a nursing career, she says this: "Pursue it wholeheartedly. With dedication and genuine passion for helping others, you can overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. Staying focused on your purpose will carry you through even the most difficult moments."

During Stroke Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a treatment that’s helping stroke patients recover faster: thrombectomy. A thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove a clot blocking blood flow to the brain. When performed quickly, it can significantly reduce long-term disability and improve recovery outcomes. At Beacon, patients across northern Indiana have access to advanced stroke care close to home. Memorial Hospital is a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center — and the only one within a 70-mile radius. This means expert stroke care is available when and where you need it most. Remember the signs of stroke — and act FAST: • Face drooping • Arm weakness • Speech difficulty • Time to call 911. Share this post to help spread stroke awareness — because recognizing symptoms quickly can save a life.

They are the bravest people Josh Flatt has ever met. And most of them are still in grade school. In nine years as a pediatric nurse at Beacon Children's Hospital, Josh has cared for children who face things no child should have to face. His heart lives in pediatric oncology, where he follows kids through their entire treatment journey, shift after shift, appointment after appointment. "These kids go through so much at such a young age, yet they remain the bravest real-life superheroes I've ever met," he says. "Seeing their resilience taught me that strength doesn't always look like physical power. Sometimes it's simply a smile from a hospital bed." Josh came to nursing through his father, who studied to become a certified medical assistant when Josh was young. He watched him pore over textbooks, absorbed by the dedication it took, and it stayed with him. He came to nursing after years as a medical assistant, which means by the time he walked onto a pediatric unit he already understood something essential: patients need someone in their corner. He has never had a single lightning bolt moment that confirmed he was in the right place. It builds over time. A child smiling on one of the worst days of their life. A family expressing gratitude for the care the team provided. "Those moments serve as a constant reminder of why this work matters." Connecting with heart, to Josh, means making sure every patient and family feels truly seen. "Not just treated," he says. It means understanding that every person processes difficult times differently and choosing, intentionally, to meet them where they are. Eighteen years in healthcare have deepened his ability to recognize what he calls the invisible burdens people carry. He notices things others might miss. He loves more intentionally because of it. Outside the hospital, time outdoors and quality time with his family keep his mind and heart stronger than the stress of the job. "Come into it with an open heart," he says to anyone considering nursing. "The science and clinical skills can be taught. But the soul of nursing is human connection."

There was a patient who just wanted to fish one more time. He was an avid fisherman, and as a hospice nurse, Stefanie Patrick understood that some wishes are not just wishes. They are the whole point. She arranged the outing, got him on a boat and put a rod in his hands one last time. His family told her afterward that he talked about it for days. For Stefanie, that is what connecting with heart looks like. Not in a clinical moment, but in a fishing boat, on an ordinary afternoon, giving someone the one thing they needed most. Eight years into her work as a Home Health and Hospice Case Manager at Three Rivers Health, Stefanie has come to understand something that is hard to explain to people outside this work. Helping someone die with dignity and comfort is not a sad job. It is a sacred one. "You are not only a nurse," she says, "but you become part of their family." She grew up in this community. The patients she cares for are often the parents, grandparents or relatives of people she has known her whole life. "They find comfort in seeing a familiar face," she says. Hospice has taught her to pay attention to the things that matter most at the end of a life. A smile. Sunshine. A little more time. She came to nursing through her family. Her aunts were nurses. Her father was an EMT. She grew up listening to their stories and admiring the way they showed up for people in need. But it wasn't until she found her way to hospice that everything fell into place. "Helping people and their families in the worst moments of their lives is so rewarding," she says. "Doing everything I can to make sure your loved one dies with dignity and comfort." Her faith carries her through the hardest days. "Having hope after death takes away some of the sting," she says. "I have an opportunity to share that hope with patients and their families." Her husband also carries her. He knows when she needs a hug and when she just needs someone to sit beside her. To anyone thinking about becoming a nurse, Stefanie's answer is simple. "Do it. There are so many different paths you can take. You will never get bored."