Faces of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic: Jackie Koenig

This series spotlights colleagues who are helping create a safe, healing and compassionate environment both in and out of the hospital.

For Jackie Koenig, BSN, RN, CCRN-K, it’s hard to believe 40 years have passed since she first stepped through the doors of Nazareth Hospital as a bright-eyed ICU nurse.

That’s because these decades weren’t solely about a “job.” Rather, they were filled with constant growth and exploration, all while doing what she loves most—helping people.

The way Koenig cares for others looks a bit different from when she started at Nazareth in July 1986. Over the years, she’s gained expertise in various sectors of health care—something she recommends for all nurses to help find their passion. After transitioning from the ICU to infection control and colleague health, Koenig is now Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic’s Workers’ Compensation Specialist.

Serving Nazareth Hospital, St. Mary Medical Center, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital, Koenig is the main point of support for colleagues who sustain an injury on the job. Though challenging at times, this work ignites a sense of purpose in Koenig each day.

“I like helping people,” says Koenig. “I enjoy being able to navigate them through their injury and care, check in to see how they’re progressing and just be someone to listen. Any questions they have, they can come to me. It’s frustrating for someone who is hurt and wants to get back to work.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, hospital workers are at high risk for injury. They may overexert themselves and strain their back while lifting a patient, slip or trip in the hallway, be the victim of physical assault from a combative patient or accidentally get pricked with a dirty needle.

No matter the incident, Koenig is there to assist. After an incident report is submitted by the colleague (or their manager if they need an immediate ER visit), Koenig quickly gets in touch to discuss next steps. Whether they require medical attention, follow-up visits, therapy or just a few days at home, Koenig is the connector between the colleague and their care.

When interacting with injured colleagues, Koenig doesn’t have a script. Thanks to her extensive nursing background, which includes 30 years in the ICU, she’s able to show compassion while simultaneously making sure they’re informed.

“I like people. I like providing care. It might not be to critically ill patients anymore, but it’s to employees who have needs—and that could be me. So, I try to be human and put myself in their place. How would I want to be treated if I was in that position?” says Koenig. “I ask what happened and if there’s anything I can do for them. I explain the process to them, but not in an overwhelming way. I keep it down to Earth. Their incident just happened and they’re probably upset because they’re hurt. I’ll lend an ear if they need to vent.”

Koenig’s work doesn’t stop at 5 p.m. She and Michelle Gerhart, H.A.S., Regional Manager of Workers’ Compensation & Safety, are on call 24/7 and alternate on weekends and holidays. But after 40 years of caring for others, being ready and willing to jump in at any moment feels like second nature.

As Koenig celebrates her milestone work anniversary, she’s honored to still be caring for folks at Nazareth Hospital and Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic as a whole.

“I can’t believe I’m that old,” Koenig says with a laugh. “I was a kid in my early 20s when I started at Nazareth. I have lifelong friends from my time in the ICU. I’m often asked why I haven’t gone elsewhere. I’ve stayed this long because we really are a family here. Everyone cares about each other.

There was never a reason for me to leave. Getting into health care was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Outside of work, Koenig’s compassionate nature is inspiring others—including her own children—to enter the medical field. While her son is a respiratory therapist, her daughter recently went back to school in her mid-30s to follow in mom’s footsteps and become a nurse.

When she’s not coordinating care, Koenig can usually be found shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls, or jamming in the car to her wide-ranging Spotify, which features everything from The Cure to Earth, Wind & Fire.