Deputy Director, RN Retired after 20 Years in Nursing at Regional Centers
 

Peggy Wetzel’s influence has been felt throughout the John J. Kane Regional Center “family” for more than 20 years. Wetzel, a RN and long-time Deputy Director of Kane’s four regional centers, retired on December 31, 2010.

“My biggest joy was bringing the career ladder to Kane and training nurse aides to be able to go to community college and become RNs,” Wetzel said. “Quite a few of them now are supervisors. There were 100-plus nurse aides when I developed the program.

“When you see them climb the ladder it’s so rewarding,” she continued. “I believe the nurse aides are the most powerful people at all four centers because they’re the ones doing the work for the residents, and they have a heart of gold caring for the residents. That’s a real plus.”

Wetzel initially joined Kane in the 1970s as a staff instructor and stayed nine years while developing six-week to six-month nurse aide training programs. She pursued other career opportunities but returned 13 years later and had been with Kane the past 11 years, working at centers in Glen Hazel, McKeesport, Ross Township and Scott Township.

Along the way, Wetzel displayed her versatility. She held the position of a training and development coordinator for the four Kane centers. She became the administrator for compliance and quality. Later, Wetzel became a deputy director. Her duties had her working in medical records, nurses’ aides education, pharmacy, infection control and serving as a HIPPA officer.

“Peggy Wetzel has been a well-respected, valuable asset to the Kane Regional Centers,” said Dennis Biondo, Executive Director at Kane. “Peggy has had a significant impact on our nurses, administration and most importantly, our residents. We appreciate all that Peggy has done for the Kane family.”

Wetzel got her first glimpse of Kane in the 1960s when she taught at St. John’s School of Nursing. Her teaching duties brought Wetzel and her students to Kane for hands-on educational opportunities and the center made quite an impression.

“I was so impressed with their rehabilitation for their elderly residents, their care and dignity that I thought if I ever needed a job I’d come to Kane,” Wetzel said.

That’s exactly what happened. Wetzel, in turn, has left a lasting legacy that has touched her students and the residents at Kane.

For more information, contact William LaLonde, Community Outreach Representative John J. Kane Regional Centers, at 412.422.6773.