UW Health SwedishAmerican

We're hiring a cardiovascular OR surgical technologist to join our robotic heart surgery program. If you're ready to take your cardiovascular surgical career to the next level, you'll work alongside expert surgeons, advanced robotic technology and a team committed to innovation in heart care. For Chris Thomas, cardiac service team lead, it's the constant evolution of cardiac care that makes the work so rewarding. "I've been doing cardiac surgery for more than 30 years, and what keeps me excited is seeing how technology continues to advance. Procedures that once required patients to travel to larger cities are now available right here in our community." Join a team that's redefining heart care through precision, innovation and minimally invasive techniques while enjoying competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, tuition assistance and opportunities for professional growth. Apply today: https://uw.health/4bsTTPp

A cancer diagnosis often comes with uncertainty, anxiety and difficult questions. That’s why oncology scheduler Melissa Huff knows that being friendly, understanding and helping patients get scheduled with a specialist as soon as the next day is one of the most important parts of her job. Providing quick access to care helps ease anxiety and gives patients the information they need to better understand their diagnosis and next steps. For many patients, having a plan and a dedicated team behind them brings a sense of relief during an overwhelming time. Melissa also believes it is important to remind patients they are not facing the journey alone. Every conversation, every appointment and every effort to coordinate care reflects a commitment to their well-being and the personalized support they deserve. “I’m always happy when I can offer patients a next-day appointment,” says Melissa. “It’s great to be able to provide that level of access.” Outside of work, Melissa enjoys giving back to her community by supporting local businesses and exploring ways to protect the environment, helping ensure future generations can enjoy the beauty of local parks and green spaces.

18 months ago, Kendra began experiencing swelling in her legs. During a visit to her primary care doctor, she was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and referred to liver specialists at UW Health. After a few months, her disease was progressing, so Dr. John Rice recommended that she undergo a liver transplant evaluation. Kendra completed extensive testing and consultations and in late November, she had been approved for transplant and was officially added to the waiting list. In December, she received the call she had been hoping for–a donor liver had become available. Kendra began her post-transplant care with the team in Madison, and in June 2026, she transitioned her appointments to the UW Health Liver Transplant Clinic in Rockford. Similar clinics in Wisconsin allow patients to receive specialized pre- and post-transplant care closer to home while remaining connected to the expertise of the UW Health Transplant Center. Now, with renewed health and energy, Kendra is doing what she loves most– staying active, spending time with family and looking ahead to the future.

Dr. Scott Singh explains how the anterior hip replacement approach helps patients find relief from severe arthritis. By using a specialized table for perfect implant placement and avoiding any muscle cuts, this technique leads to less pain and a much faster recovery.

At 15 years old, Cherish Adams gave birth to her son, Allen, alone at home, terrified and unsure what would come next. Born at 34 weeks, Cherish brought Allen to SwedishAmerican Hospital for neonatal care. There, she met NICU nurse Jeannie Joseph, a moment that would change the course of her life. Jeannie became Allen’s primary nurse and a steady source of encouragement during one of the hardest moments Cherish had ever faced. She encouraged Cherish to tell her family, stay in school and believe her future was still full of possibility. With support from Jeannie and her family, Cherish kept moving forward. She graduated high school, earned her CNA certification and spent 16 years working as a patient care technician while raising Allen as a single mom. Then in 2023, while working full-time, Cherish enrolled in nursing school determined to make the same kind of difference in someone else’s life that Jeannie had made in hers. Last July, Cherish graduated with honors and became a registered nurse at SwedishAmerican Hospital. When it came time for her nursing pinning ceremony, there was only one person she wanted by her side: Jeannie. Today, Cherish works in mental health care helping patients through some of their most difficult moments, while Allen, now 21, proudly cheers on his mom’s accomplishments. “She always had the strength, the drive and the determination,” Jeannie says. “I could see that in her even when she was 15 years old.”

Why are CT scans so important for detecting and monitoring lung cancer? "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure is something my mom always said to me," says radiographer Jason Hofilena. As he has grown older and experienced health challenges of his own, Jason says he has come to appreciate the meaning behind those words even more. He believes many patients can relate to that sentiment when it comes to their own health. That perspective is one of the reasons Jason is passionate about lung cancer screening. Having worked in imaging for more than three years, he understands the important role CT scans can play in detecting lung cancer early, when treatment is often most effective. Jason also enjoys helping patients feel comfortable throughout the screening process. He often uses humor to put nervous patients at ease and reassures them that the exam is quick, easy and uses a very low dose of radiation focused only on the lungs. Advocating for and promoting lung cancer screening is one of the many ways he strives to serve his community. Helping others and contributing to the well-being of those around him gives him an even greater appreciation for the people and activities he enjoys outside of work.

Not every career goes according to plan. For Lori Kline, an unexpected turn led to a career she loves and a chance to shape the future of cancer care. When a back injury disrupted Lori's work as an ICU/CCU nurse, she took a temporary position supporting oncology research. More than three decades later, she's still at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center Rockford, and continues to be passionate about bringing clinical trials to patients. Since joining the program in 1989, Lori has helped connect patients with studies that expand treatment options and advance cancer care. She credits the patients who participate in those studies as the true heroes of clinical research. Her advice for anyone considering joining the oncology clinical trials team? "If you are willing and motivated to learn, you can and will enjoy it as I have." Learn more: https://uw.health/4apb2sH

Nicole Sivertsen is the chemotherapy coordinator at UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center Rockford, with over 12 years of oncology experience. “During that time, my patients have taught me the importance of truly listening and being present. Sometimes what patients need most isn’t a clinical intervention - it’s to feel heard, understood, and supported.”

Elizabeth Marcinek, an advanced practice nurse in cardiac electrophysiology, brings both experience and curiosity to her work at UW Health in Rockford, and we're looking for more curious APPs to join our team. Cardiac electrophysiology focuses on diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, bradycardia and tachyarrhythmias. Elizabeth partners with patients throughout every stage of their care, from evaluation and diagnosis to long-term treatment. She says no two patients are alike, which is why every care plan is tailored to each person's symptoms, goals and lifestyle. "What I love most is that the answers aren't always clear at first. Each case is like solving a puzzle. We look at EKGs and the patient's history and collaborate as a team to find the best path forward." That spirit of collaboration is one of the reasons Elizabeth still loves her work more than a decade into her career. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, solve complex challenges and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. For those considering a career in cardiac electrophysiology, she says it's a specialty where teamwork, lifelong learning and compassionate care come together. Join our team: https://uw.health/4vxebyw

For 50 years, nurse Rose McFaddin has cared for patients, lifted up teammates and created moments of connection that make work feel a little more like family. Whether she's lending a hand or celebrating life's big and small moments, she has a way of making every room feel a little brighter. What began as a job on the Mother Baby unit in 1976 grew into a career that has touched generations of families. From welcoming newborns into the world to guiding patients through illness and recovery, Rose has brought compassion and steady care to every role, serving at Five Points, North Bell School Clinic and now Marchesano Clinic. Her impact extends far beyond the exam room. It lives on in the coworkers she has mentored, the patients and families who remember her kindness and the community she has helped strengthen over five remarkable decades. Her legacy isn't measured only by the years she's served, but by the countless lives she's made just a little brighter along the way.