WHITE PINE - Mike Urbis of Ewen was named Aspirus Community Champion at the annual Aspirus employee recognition dinner Friday at the Konteka in White Pine.
Urbis, along with Jim Jessup, perform Christmas Concerts for the benefit of the Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital and have raised thousands of dollars for the foundation. In addition Urbis and brother Joe sing for patients at the Long Term Care Facility. Manager Mike Hauswirth noted that Urbis has raised funds for the Ontonagon County Cancer Association, is Chairman of the McMillan Township EDC, sings at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ewen and is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Hauswirth noted that Urbis has used his talent to enrich the community and presented him with a plaque with an inscription by Confucius," Music produces the kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."
Chuck Nelson, Regional CEO for Aspirus Ontonagon, Keweenaw and Ironwood, congratulated employees for their caring service. He noted that the hospital has had a lot of issues but is doing "remarkably well in the past few years." He added that there will be issues as the hospital navigates through the new health care law but Aspirus will continue to do what it has always done, provide healing and loving care. He commended the employees for "what you do best." "We cannot do wrong if we take care of people this way. It reminds us why we are here... health care."
Nelson continued that the way Aspirus cares for people and their health is the solid foundation behind the administration, board and employees.
Deanna Wilson, Vice President of Patient Care Services, announced the names of employees with special service dates and recognized Martha Saaranen for her 48 years as an RN with the Hospital.
Wilson commented on the tremendous growth in the Oncology Department of the hospital in the past year. "It is growing very fast and provides a great service to the community," she added. Wilson also thanked employees for the successful results of the state surveys this year.