Business briefs

In other VHH news, Cathy Werner, RN, BSN, an avid recycler, will retire from the hospital this month after 23 years in the Maternity Department.

“I think the environment should be protected as much as possible,” states Hawaiian-born Werner, RN, BSN. “When you live on an island, you have to think about where your resources are coming from and where they are going to.”

Werner has spread her ‘green’ attitude throughout VHH’s Maternity Department over the years. She has helped recycle more than 2,600 pounds of aluminum, plastics and glass material for the Maternity Department during the past 14 years, which is when she began to maintain a recycling record.

As a result of her recycling efforts, the Department has raised $1,691, which averages to $121 per year. Werner used the money to purchase various items for the department, including two toaster ovens, two microwave ovens, two coffee makers and two VCR/DVD players for the patients’ rooms, as well as a camera for photographing newborns.

“It is all about getting people into the habit of recycling, but it took me a couple of years of nagging,” Werner said.

She adds she has truly enjoyed working at VHH. “We have a great set of doctors and nurses who have been great to work with and, of course, we have our wonderful volunteers,” she said.