ADOPTED - AUGUST 25, 2009

Agenda Item No. 25

Introduced by the Finance Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION HONORING HELEN V. DUVALL ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM SPARROW HOSPITAL

RESOLUTION #09-267

WHEREAS, on August 10, 1959, Helen V. Duvall began working at Sparrow Hospital as a Nurses Aide, while attending Lansing Community College; and

WHEREAS, Helen received her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree on February 2, 1961, and worked in several departments at Sparrow Hospital that include: the Male Surgical Unit, Gynecology Unit, EENT Unit, General Surgery, and 31 years of her career in the Outpatient Surgical Unit; and

WHEREAS, Helen viewed her 50-year career at Sparrow Hospital as more than a job, she saw it as a ministry and a calling, her commitment to this ministry was evident by her dedicated attendance, she missed very few days during her tenure at Sparrow Hospital and worked 6 consecutive years without calling in sick; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Helen was not only an employee of Sparrow Hospital, she was also a patient - having fought a victorious battle against breast cancer, Helen received chemo and radiation treatments and returned promptly to work where, as a breast cancer survivor, Helen was able to minister to other women and offer them love, support and hope; and

WHEREAS, in the 50 years Helen has worked at Sparrow Hospital, the nursing profession has changed dramatically, what has not changed is Helen's heart of service to others, and in recognition of her outstanding contribution as a nurse and her ‘heart’ of gold, Sparrow Hospital awarded Helen the prestigious “Nurse of the Year” award in 1997; and

WHEREAS, the individuals at Sparrow Hospital who have influenced Helen over the years are: Vickki Winger, who recruited Helen to work in Outpatient Surgery, Jackie Dorr a phenomenal leader and friend, and Kathy Siegler who mentored Helen in nursing techniques, and all became part of Helen’s family; and

WHEREAS, Helen DuVall retired from Sparrow Hospital on August 10, 2009, after 50 years of dedicated service.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby congratulates Helen V. DuVall on the event of her retirement and honors her for 50 years of dedicated service to Sparrow Hospital and the citizens of  Ingham County. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board wishes her continued success in all of her future endeavors.   

FINANCE:    Yeas:  Grebner, Nolan, Bahar-Cook, Tennis, Davis, Dougan

         Nays:  None            Absent:  None         Approved 8/19/09