Sparrow Nurses Honored During 2023 Nurses Week Celebrations

Published: May 12, 2023

LANSING, MI – E.W. Sparrow Hospital and Sparrow’s Community Hospitals honored thousands of nurses during Nurses Week (May 6-12), celebrating the impact they’ve had on countless lives through their passion, compassion, skills, and commitment.

This year’s National Nurses Week theme was “You make a difference,” appropriate since Sparrow nurses have shown their hard work and dedication in making an incredible impact on our communities each day.

Nurses Week concluded with ceremonies and recognition at several Sparrow sites of care.

At E.W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, two highly skilled nurses were recognized for the super-human work they do for our youngest patients and new moms.

Sparrow Mother Baby Center nurse Ines Srkalovic, RN, BSN, earned the DAISY Award for demonstrating nursing excellence. Srkalovic was nominated for validating a patient’s needs and for being, “the answer” to all of that patient’s problems.

For proving compassionate care to babies and families for over the past 45 years, Jo Ellen Hansen, RN, a registered nurse in Sparrow’s NICU, Mid-Michigan’s only Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU), was given Sparrow’s first-ever DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. It recognizes those nurses who have devoted their life’s work to the compassionate care of others and serving as a beacon of inspiration to those at all stages of their career and in the various and important roles of nursing. Hansen started at Sparrow’s RNICU in 1978.

“Over the years, Jo Ellen has touched and saved countless lives. She has been a primary care nurse to hundreds of babies,” said Sarah Collins, RNICU Manager. “Jo is the heart and soul of RNICU and I can think of no one more deserving of being honored for an incredible and amazing lifetime of dedicated and compassionate nursing.”

At Sparrow Carson Hospital, Medical Surgical Services nurse Jodie Diaz, RN, was named as its 2023 Nurse of the Year. Sparrow Carson Medical Surgical Services Nursing Manager Stacey Snyder said, “Diaz is a cornerstone to the Med/Surg Unit. She represents the best in best practice and is a shining example of a standout nurse.”

Sparrow Clinton Hospital is celebrating honoree Robert Beals, RN, for his selflessness and providing compassionate care to surgical patients. He’s considered by his peers as a leader who has taken on multiple tasks and responsibilities, and “is the guy” who knows where everything is in the department.

Sparrow Eaton Hospital recently celebrated Med Surg nurse Morgan Truba, as their Nurse of the Year. Truba’s nomination said, “She is an exceptional nurse, has a positive attitude, is always willing to help her teammates and advocates for her patients” and credited Truba with remaining calm, steady, and kind in her service.

At Sparrow Ionia Hospital, Medical Surgical nurse Tanya Koetje, BSN, RN, was selected as 2023 Nurse of the Year. Koetje - a caregiver at Sparrow Ionia since 1992 – was nominated by her colleagues for demonstrating the true meaning of compassion: listening to her patients, taking action to help, and advocating for their needs.