Celebrating Our 2025 Service Year Milestone Honorees
November 20, 2025, MORRIS, IL- Congratulations to the Morris Hospital employees who celebrated milestone years of service in 2025! The Milestone Dinner is a cherished tradition within our organization, and the event took place on November 13 at Jennifer’s Garden in Morris. Employees marking 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service joined their coworkers for an evening of camaraderie and celebration as part of the Morris Hospital team.
Tammy Bunting, Staffing Office – 45 Years
For the majority of her life, Tammy Bunting has continuously demonstrated unwavering dedication to Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, our staff, patients and community. It all started when she accepted a position as a med/surg “ward clerk” after graduating from high school in 1980. Tammy grew to love her role as she contributed to patient care and became part of the 2nd floor family.
Twenty-five years later, she flawlessly made the transition to the Staffing Office, using the relationships she had built over the years to assure appropriate staffing for the patient care areas every shift, every day. In fact, Tammy is known to do whatever it takes to make sure the patient care units are staffed appropriately. In 2012 when she was honored as Fire Starter of the Month, it was noted that she had taken an employee’s place working at a Corn Fest booth so the employee could come in and cover a House Supervisor shift. Now that’s dedication!
Today as Lead Scheduling and Staffing Assistant, Tammy is held in high regard as the “go to” for anything staffing related. She is also highly respected for her knowledge of hospital policies and procedures “inside and out,” along with the way she administers them equitably.
“Tammy is the rule follower,” said Kari Stecken, Director of Med/Surg Pediatrics. “She is the person you go to when you need something on your timecard or payroll fixed. She is always there to answer questions and help you out. Everyone loves working with Tammy because they know they can always count on her.”
Patty Williamson, Emergency Services – 45 years
Patty Williamson is one of those rare employees whose experience, dedication, and compassion simply cannot be replicated. After 45 years of service, she has become a beloved and familiar presence in the Morris Hospital Emergency Department, known for her steady professionalism, remarkable patience, and genuine care for every patient she encounters.
Patty joined Morris Hospital in 1980 and has devoted her entire career to caring for the people in our community. She began in the Med Surg unit, where she spent seven years honing her clinical skills and building meaningful connections with patients. In 1987, she transitioned to the Emergency Department, a place that would soon become her long-term home. Her commitment to learning and teaching led her to take on an additional role in 2007 as a certified instructor for the American Heart Association classes offered through our Education Department. Through this work, she has helped train countless individuals in lifesaving skills, further extending her impact beyond the walls of the ED.
Director of Emergency and Trauma Services Tony Bucki says Patty’s presence has been a gift to the organization. “Patty has been here through so much transition in our hospital, and she has helped us grow and evolve while remaining a constant source of care and comfort to those around her,” he says. “She is the embodiment of what it means to serve with compassion, commitment, and excellence.”
Rhonda Drumm, Purchasing – 40 Years
Rhonda Drumm is proof that long-term employees have tremendous value in our organization. Prior to becoming a Buyer in our Purchasing department in 2016, Rhonda was a Material Service Technician in Stores for 31 years. That’s over 40 years in two different roles as part of Supply Chain Management (formerly Materials Management). She knows everybody and has extensive knowledge about the organization and her department’s history, all priceless assets.
Even more importantly, Rhonda has exhibited extraordinary dedication to Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers over the past 40 years.
“Rhonda is one of the most consistent staff members in the organization,” said Brandon Senesac, Director of Supply Chain Management. “She comes to work every day without fail. She’s always reachable and always the first one to answer the phone. She cares about her work in our department, and she takes care of everybody. I know how helpful she’s been to me since I started.”
Staying at Morris Hospital for 40 years has been an easy choice for Rhonda. A resident of Coal City, she has always considered her job close to home. She looks back on her years in Stores fondly saying, “It was hard work, but we had a lot of fun.” Best of all, Rhonda has made lasting friendships that are an important part of her life. Even today, she makes it a priority to walk to the hospital from Shabbona EVERY day to pick up the mail and have lunch with her treasured friend Dawn Crawford. She refers to Mary Woods from Purchasing as her adopted daughter.
Rhonda’s enduring commitment to excellence and the treasured relationships she has built over four decades will leave a heartfelt and lasting imprint on Morris Hospital for years to come.
Sue Szumski, Education – 40 years
One of a kind. That is the lasting impression Sue Szumski leaves on her colleagues in Education. Known for her extensive expertise and unwavering dedication, Sue brings a calm, steady, and focused energy to everything she does and to everyone she works alongside. Her impact on our organization over the last 40 years goes far beyond her excellence in educating staff; she has helped shape and support the caregivers who provide exceptional care to our community each and every day.
Sue joined Morris Hospital in September 1985 as a Med Surg nurse before moving to 2 East the following year. For 24 years, she served as an RN on 2 East, building a reputation for being a trusted resource to coworkers and patients alike. Sixteen years ago, she transitioned into her current role as an Instructor in the Education Department, where she has continued to influence the next generation of caregivers through her knowledge, guidance, and steady leadership.
Manager of Education Services Jen Cox describes Sue as “the Swiss-Army-Knife of nurses.” “Sue has the ability to jump into any situation and make things better. She takes on challenges with grace, patience, and humor, and that flexibility is invaluable to our team,” says Jen.
Sue’s unwavering dedication has played an essential role in the success of our Education department. Her willingness to mentor others, combined with decades of expertise, makes her truly deserving of our appreciation and recognition.
Kathy Ulivi, Gardner Healthcare Center – 40 years
Kathy Ulivi has had an incredible journey throughout her 40-year nursing career with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Center, starting in 1985 as Charge RN on 2 East Med/Surg Peds. During her first 20 years, she also worked in Post Anesthesia Care (then called the Recovery Room) and Pain Management.
After achieving oncology and pain management nurse certifications, Kathy was well-positioned to become our Radiation Therapy Center’s first RN when the center opened in 2004. Later, she made her mark in our Education department, working as a General Educator from 2009-2011. She became a certified diabetes educator, started a diabetes support group, and served as a critical care educator. Something else was calling Kathy. In 2011, she returned to 2 East and worked as a Charge RN while she was in school earning her Advanced Practice RN degree.
Two years later, Kathy started in the role she was made for: family medicine Advanced Practice RN at our Dwight and Gardner Healthcare Centers. Among her patients, Kathy has a reputation for delivering compassionate, quality care. Among her colleagues, she is known as a life-long learner who time and time again has stepped up to learn more and expand her clinical skills in order to best serve the patients in her community.
“Kathy is truly one of the most compassionate healthcare workers I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” said Kylie Gabehart, Healthcare Centers Practice Manager. “Her career reflects not only professional excellence but also a deep and enduring commitment to patient care, education, and community service. Her leadership, integrity, and compassion have made a lasting impact on all who have had the privilege of working with her.”
Kimberly Wolfer, Laboratory – 40 years
Forty years of service to an organization is an extraordinary accomplishment, and for Kimberly Wolfer, those four decades reflect a career defined by steady leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment. Her influence on the Laboratory and the broader organization is both undeniable and lasting.
Kimberly joined Morris Hospital in 1985 as a medical technologist, quickly demonstrating strong technical knowledge and a natural ability to lead. Within just a few years, she advanced to section supervisor, and in 1997, stepped into the role of Laboratory Manager. Her continued dedication and forward-thinking leadership earned her the position of Director of the Laboratory in 2011, a role she continues to hold today.
Over the years, Kimberly has guided the Laboratory through periods of change, growth, and increasing complexity. She is known for her thoughtful decision-making, her commitment to quality, and her ability to keep both people and processes moving in the right direction. Whether navigating new technologies or supporting her team through challenges, Kimberly has remained a consistent and trusted leader.
Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nurse Executive Kim Landers says that Kimberly brings a unique level of sophistication to the Lab. “Kimberly is always thinking ahead to what is next and is always working to make our Lab more efficient,” says Kim. “You can always count on her to bring team spirit and inspire those around her.”
Kimberly’s leadership, dedication, and passion have shaped the Laboratory for four decades and continue to strengthen it today.
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