Our people are the heart and soul of Saint Joe’s

By Scott Peek, Saint Joseph Hospital President

Saint Joseph Hospital just celebrated the incredible career of Vicki Vowell. Vicki’s career at Saint Joe’s spans 52 years as she came here right out of nursing school in 1972 and has been here ever since.

Vowell with Mike Morton, MD

Vicki is known for delivering compassionate and expert care to so many patients and for educating and mentoring so many students and nurses who carry on her legacy of care. And now, it’s the end of an era, and we wish Vicki well in her retirement journey!

We also recently honored 675 caregivers who reached milestones of service from 10 years and on up to more than 50 years in 2024. Additionally, we thank the 549 current members of the Saint Joseph Medical Staff who have served the hospital for 10 to 49 years.

I just joined Saint Joe’s in February, so I am not a long-term caregiver, and it is impressive to me to think that approximately 25 percent of the caregivers and 30 percent of physicians and advanced practice providers who currently work at Saint Joe’s have been here for 10 years or more.

For decades, these physicians, APPs and caregivers helped build a culture of excellence and caring by sharing their wisdom, practicing with clinical expertise, offering their inspirational leadership, and showing their compassion to our patients and each other.

I am so grateful to all our caregivers, physicians and APPs, whether they have just joined the Saint Joe’s family or have been here for many years, for giving their time, talents and treasures every day to make our organization unique and special.