Very few people can claim that they’ve talked to every single Akron Children’s Hospital employee. But Bob Daugherty, patient relations specialist at Akron Children’s, can. For most of his career at Children’s, he was a telecommunications operator who answered and screened incoming telephone calls, routed calls to hospital employees, residents, departments and physician offices and […]
Kay Kirtley’s retirement checklist includes family, friends and fun
Kay Kirtley, director of Children’s After Hours, has always loved nursing. Kay’s mom was a nurse, and her favorite games involved bandaging her dolls and taking care of her friends and family with her first aid kit. Even while relaxing, Kay read Cherry Ames books, which featured a young nurse who solved mysteries. But unlike […]
Grace Wakulchik concludes three-decade career at Akron Children’s
When Grace Wakulchik was a Cuyahoga Falls High School student considering a career in health care, a friend’s mother introduced her to a nurse who had earned her master’s degree. At the time, most nurses were trained in hospital-based schools and not colleges. But Grace took her advice and enrolled at Case Western Reserve University. “She suggested that I get a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then a master’s, and that was a big influence in […]
Rick Trego plans a retirement full of good times and projects in his “man cave”
Rick Trego, security officer in Akron Children’s public safety, believes that small acts of kindness make a big difference. Whether at work or in the community, Rick regularly interacts with people in ways that let them know he understands their need for self-respect and dignity. By showing empathy or making a connection, Rick is often […]
Chuck Reid installs a new personal “phone” number: 1-330-RETIRED
Like a lot of teenagers, Chuck Reid, telecommunications technician in information services infrastructure, dreamed big. In Chuck’s case, he played guitar and bass, and performed locally in a band. Some shows were on school nights and went late into the night. Although his parents encouraged him musically, they made sure Chuck woke up on time […]
Laurie Fortune’s retirement recollections will include tiny babies and big memories
Growing up in Elyria, Ohio, Laurie Fortune, staff nurse in Akron Children’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), participated in elite gymnastics, a sport that relies just as much on mental focus, discipline and dedication as athleticism to excel. These skills have been invaluable to Laurie as she cared for northeast Ohio’s littlest and most vulnerable […]
