The annual Valley County Health System Christmas Party was held Friday, December 14 at the Ord Veteran’s Club. Almost 300 associates, spouses and board members attended the celebration. Twenty-six associates were recognized with awards for their years of service to VCHS, and an associate was recognized with the President’s Award. Entertainment included motivational humorist, Jack McCall.

Associates recognized for Years of Service were: 35 years - Leora Sedlacek; 30 years - Cindy Horky, Helen Kusek, Susan Schauer; 20 years - Carol Philbrick, Colleen Ringlein, Kathy Zulkoski; 15 years - Eileen Bruha, Claudia Cecetka, Stephanie Copp, Marilyn Winkelbauer; 10 years - Kelly Geweke, Jennifer McBride, Laura Nelson, Angela Walahoski; 5 years - Penny Albers, Reta Freeman, Judy Pelster, Becky Ries, Cindy Ritz, Danny Scott, Jennifer Shepperd, Jo Smolik, Veronica Taylor, Lindsey Waltman; PRN- Elizabeth Ferguson. Congratulations, and thank you to all of our Years of Service associates.


A VCHS associate was awarded the President’s Award for the first time at our 2012 Christmas party. The President’s award is given to an associate who has dedicated each day to fulfilling the vision of Valley County Health System both within the health system and in the community we serve. This year’s recipient was Eileen Bruha. Eileen Bruha has worked at Valley County Health System in the Home Health Department since May 1997. Eileen is one of the most caring associates at Valley County Health System, who puts the needs of everyone ahead of her own. She is always willing to lend a hand to those in need, whether it be to her patients or co-workers. She has been known to take it upon herself to meet the need at her own time and expense to a patient in need. She encompasses the values of VCHS to the fullest- Integrity, Compassion, Ownership, Respect, and Trust. She can always be counted on to do what is right. All of us at VCHS congratulate Eileen on her achievement of this great honor.