Mokena Resident Kathy Mrozek Named 2013 Seasons Spirit Award Recipient

Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care is pleased to announce that Clinical Nurse Liaison Kathy Mrozek, RN, MHA, of Mokena, is the recipient of the 2013 Seasons Spirit Award.

The award is given annually to a Seasons hospice care consultant or clinical nurse liaison that goes above and beyond the call of duty, contributes to a positive team culture, leads by example, works collaboratively with the clinical team and looks for solutions. There is only one award winner selected each year.

Mrozek recently received the award at the organization’s annual meeting in Hollywood, Fla. “I am humbled by this honor,” Mrozek said. “This is such a compassionate organization, and I am so proud to be affiliated with it. Every decision that is made here centers around what is best for our patients and their families.”

Mrozek joined Seasons Hospice in 2008 following a long and successful career as a hospital nursing director in Chicago’s south suburbs. She has been a registered nurse for 35 years.

“I was looking for a change in my career,” she explains. “In my previous work, I had experience caring for terminally ill patients, and I always felt so privileged to be able do so. I started doing research about hospice care. The more I learned, the more I knew that I would love it. This has been a whole new career path for me, and it’s the greatest move I’ve ever made. I feel truly blessed to do what I do.”

In her role as clinical nurse liaison, Mrozek serves as a vital link between Seasons Hospice and referring clinicians, patients and families. Her responsibilities include educating clinicians and patients about hospice and palliative care, and assessing patients for admission to Seasons Hospice services.  

Co-workers and supervisors describe Mrozek as “conscientious, dedicated and accountable” in her daily work. “Kathy’s passion for her work is evident in all that she does,” adds Mrozek’s supervisor, Kimberly Clawson, Director of Business Development for Seasons Hospice of Illinois. “There are countless examples of her going the extra mile, but what sets her apart is that she does so without expectation of recognition or gratitude from either her teammates or her supervisors.”

“Kathy is a dedicated and passionate nurse whose level of hospice knowledge and care for her patients and referral sources goes above the industry standard,” adds Matthew Abbott, RN, BSN, Admissions Department Manager for Seasons Hospice. “Most recently, she worked on a case for seven hours, a full day, to ensure that her patient would not go home without the appliance they needed. Each detail was meticulously covered so that our patient and their family could receive the quality care they deserved. This is what it means to be a Seasons Hospice nurse.”

She graduated from the former Thornton Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. She also holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Health Administration from University of St. Francis in Joliet.