St. Coletta Registered Nurse Wins Award from Jefferson Advertiser

St. Coletta Registered Nurse Wins Award from Jefferson Advertiser

Jefferson, Wisconsin – March 4, 2010 – St. Coletta of Wisconsin, a non-profit service provider for adults with developmental and other disabilities, is proud of all of its staff, but especially Registered Nurse, Terri Wenkman.

Wenkman, who just celebrated five years serving St. Coletta, was nominated by St. Coletta Training and Development Coordinator Laurie Teeter, in the Jefferson Advertiser for the Readers’ Choice: Registered Nurse award.

“Terri’s energy, dedication and compassion for the clients are true assets to St. Coletta,” Teeter said. “This clearly shows when she trains our DSP staff in Medicine Administration, Diabetic and PCW training, First Aid and CPR and Client Specific Needs. And all these trainings are on-going and continue to be a need in our programs as our clients age and face significant health care needs.”

Teeter and Wenkman have known each other for five years. They have worked closely together in enhancing the St. Coletta training program, have used each other as a sounding board to bounce ideas off each other, and have also grown to be good friends.

“I have never known anyone that can juggle and keep together a full schedule of training from month to month, be a mom of two, go to school part time, work part time at Fort Healthcare and be a consultant to our Residential program, running from home to home to assure quality care like Terri—yet have the messiest desk ever! But she seems to know exactly where everything is all the time,” Teeter said.

Wenkman was honored to have been nominated by Teeter and was pleased and surprised to learn she was the winner of the award.

“I truly feel honored that my work was recognized,” Wenkman said. “I feel that every person deep down likes to be recognized for their work, I'm no exception.”

In even limited contact with Wenkman, it is very apparent how much she loves St. Coletta and that she truly deserved this award. She is passionate about teaching employees and clients, and about giving the best care to the clients whom she loves.

“I think that St. Coletta's rich history and Franciscan mission are at the heart of everything I do,” she said. “I am blessed to be part of so many awesome teams and work with smart colleagues who share my passion and love for the clients … I am also humbled when I get to work and interact with outside family members, organizations who care deeply about the client's that we care for.”

Founded in 1904 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi of Milwaukee, St. Coletta of Wisconsin is the leading service provider for adults with developmental disabilities helping people lead lives enriched by personal choice, inclusion, and opportunity. For more information on St. Coletta of Wisconsin, please visit www.stcolettawi.org.