Celebrating 26 new Guardian Angels

26 Guardian Angels were recently recognized throughout Ascension Wisconsin

Guardian Angel, a program of Ascension Wisconsin Foundation, launched just over a year ago. Within that span, more than 400 Guardian Angels have been recognized throughout Ascension Wisconsin! Guardian Angel extends an invitation for patients to recognize any associate that made a difference in their care through making a gift in their honor, sharing their story or both.

Congratulations to everyone who was recently recognized and celebrated as Guardian Angels.

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Guardian Angel Nominations

The following testimonials were written in each patient's own words.

Juliette Borella, registered nurse, Ascension Elmbrook

"I had a heart ablation on July 29th and needed to stay overnight. Juliette was my nurse and took exceptional care of me. My blood pressure was low and there were some issues with getting it back up to where it needed to be. Juliette even called the Dr. who was on call that night to make sure that she was doing what needed to be done. She had great bed side manner and made me feel very at ease. I felt that she listened to me and really tried to keep me comfortable and informed on everything that was being done. Juliette has a great personality, is an excellent nurse, and I truly appreciated the care that she provided me. I would like to recognize her efforts and professionalism."

Sue Xiong, nurse practitioner, Ascension Medical Group

"She helped me through a very rough time in life. I really appreciate her professionalism and her smile. I am really glad she came to help Gunmeet Kaleka out in seeing patients. What you have done to help me means a lot. More than I can say. I do love your hair!"

Nikki Ver Voort, nurse practitioner, Ascension Medical Group

"Nikki is an outstanding PCP in all ways. She is approachable, straightforward, kind and caring. She truly listens and takes my personal needs, preferences and personal values into account when devising my treatment plan. She never appears rushed during my scheduled visits. She is quick to respond to any deviation in my health or question/concern that may occur. I have found her to be honest in difficult situations. She has dealt with me tenderly when I have been livid. She consistently goes above and beyond what is required of her in the medical profession. I cannot give Nikki enough positive accolades to truly represent this woman's character, knowledge and professionalism. She has been a blessing in my life. She is more than a Guardian Angel to me, she is a Wizard! I trust her implicitly. I truly have a love and utmost respect for Nikki. She is most deserving of this award."

Dr. Andrew Asbury, family medicine physician, Ascension Medical Group

"Dr. Asbury is always a great listener and has consistently supported my husband and myself through medical challenges for the last 8 years. I appreciate his focus on providing care in an open and caring manner. Thank you for everything, Dr. Asbury."

Dr. Lisa Simonds, family medicine physician, Ascension Medical Group

"Dr. Lisa is my fantastic and phenomenal doctor and we've been together for over 25 years! She provides an immense amount of info and excellent care, plus her response on my chart and answers all of my questions. Thank you so much!"

Dr. Derek Turner, internist, Ascension Medical Group

Dr. Turner has been my doctor for many

years now. Thank him for his specialized care in treating my hypertension with specialized, individualized care. Thank you for everything, Dr. Turner.

Dr. Pamela Ogor, family medicine physician, Ascension Medical Group

"I am so grateful for the care that I receive. Any time I need blood work or any testing done, Dr. Paula Ogor is amazing. I have been with her for over 40 years. The only thing that I would switch to another Dr is when

she retired from work, and then she will still recommend me to another Dr that she is comfortable with treating me"

"Dr. Ogor has been a source of constant and dependable care for my family for more than 30 years. Yes, I have followed her and changed locations with her every time. She was the one who told me of my surprise pregnancy and offered help after the shock. She gives excellent care & advice. She is one of the few doctors I have found that will listen and address all concerns. She will be my Dr until she retires!"

Dr. Bernard Nartey, family medicine physician, Ascension Medical Group

"I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional care and kindness Dr. Nartey provided during my recent treatment. From the very beginning, I felt reassured by his professionalism and dedication to my well-being. He not only took the time to address all of my concerns during our appointments, but also went above and beyond by personally calling me at home to check on my recovery. It is rare to find a doctor who is as attentive and genuinely caring as Dr. Nartey, and I am truly appreciative of the extra effort he made to ensure I was on the path to recovery. His compassion and thoroughness made a significant difference, and I’m grateful to have had him as my doctor. Thank you once again for everything. His care has been nothing short of outstanding, and I am deeply thankful for all that Dr. Nartey has done."

Dr. Shannon Reinbold, pediatrician and internist, Ascension Medical Group

"Dr. Reinbold always takes time to thoroughly meet with us. I am always appreciative of her prompt communications, even when she is out of the office. She is kind, caring and never judgmental. Whenever I leave an appointment, I leave with a plan and feel supported. I’ve always wanted to thank her (and the nurses she works with, especially Annie, Brittany and Sue) for their years of compassion and care. Thank you Dr. Reinbold!"

Dr. Katherine Burrows, pediatrician and internist, Ascension Medical Group

"Dr. Burrows has gone above and beyond caring for both myself with a variety of complicated health issues, and my adult son who has a variety disabilities. She takes time to listen and we are always able to find solutions to our care even when we don’t always agree on medical philosophies. Dr. Burrows is the reason we receive care at Ascension Wisconsin."

Tammy Kasprovich, registered nurse, Ascension Franklin

"I was in the emergency room experiencing extreme pain from post-op nerve spasms. It was by far the worst pain I have ever experienced. I was panicking and having trouble breathing. The team that cared for me were all amazing, but Tammy went above and beyond with her calm and reassuring approach, eye contact, and some mad clinical skills. Thank you Tammy for helping me through a very difficult life event. Your efforts are so appreciated."

Tina Provin, nurse navigator, Ascension Mayfair Road

"Tina was a constant source for me as questions came up about how to treat my breast cancer. She talked to me and explained everything very well and helped me come to terms with all I was facing in a loving and informative way. Tina is an important part of my cancer journey. Without her guidance and extra chats, I would not have been feeling so secure in some of my difficult decisions."

Camille Cuevas, registered nurse, Ascension All Saints

"Camille is always so helpful whenever I need anything. Camille always has answers to my questions, even when I have more than one a day! She is just so sweet about it every time and always cares about her patients. Camille has truly made a difference in my care😊😇"

Dr. Goran Jankovic, orthopedic and sports medicine physician, Ascension Medical Group

"Dr. Goran Jankovic is caring and compassionate. He is truly what a doctor should be — he takes time with his patients so we understand all the information we need to be successful in life and he does his absolute best to give us our quality of life with our joints and pains. Dr. Jankovic is my Guardian Angel; I have been a patient for almost 20 years and I have never met such a caring, loving and compassionate doctor that has a great beside manner. He puts the patient first — we are just not a number to him, we are his patients and he truly takes the time and uses all his capabilities to mend us. He provides us with what we need to function. I get cortisone injections every 3 months otherwise I would not be able to walk. Dr. Jankovic has helped me to find a surgeon for knee replacement and he always gives the greatest advice. He is who I trust in healthcare. You need a million more doctors like Dr. Jankovic."

Halle Vanhandel and Rachel Huested, registered nurses, Ascension St. Elizabeth

"All went the extra mile to assure me with what they were about to do, and why. They were patient and invited any questions I might have (I had lots). I've had several surgeries at St. E's and no other department comes close to all of the wound care clinic staff and the way they put me at ease. Their patient care environment is as notable as their knowledge. I've appreciated them very much!"

Dr. Dennis Laundrie, emergency medicine physician, Envision

"Dr. Laundrie has been treating a serious shin wound and with good results. I have complete confidence in his skill and wisdom. I also appreciate his warm-hearted and pleasant smile when he walks in the room. He makes me feel relaxed and confident that he has a very real desire to do his best for me. I am blessed to have him as my doctor."

Emilia Beech and Courtnee Crull, registered nurses, Ascension St. Elizabeth

"They both are amazing nurses who helped me on some very rough days while going through TMS treatments. Emilia specifically would talk me to me with kindness and dignity. Mental health nurses rarely get recognition for OFTEN going above and beyond in their professional, yet also down to earth, care. Both work extremely well together and made me feel comfortable with all my insecurities. The mental health field needs more people like Emilia and Courtnee."

Kim Wardon, nurse practitioner, Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Milwaukee

"Kimberly listened to me and for the first time in a long time, I felt like a medical professional actually heard what I was saying and we created a plan. I recently received a diagnosis based on her recommendation and was put on a medication that saved my life. The entire behavioral health department at Ascension Columbia St. Mary's is awesome, and I can't thank them enough for 2025 which I call my year of healing thanks to their efforts."

Nicki Opperman, registered nurse, Ascension St. Elizabeth

"Nicki was on duty the final weekend my husband was being treated at St. Elizabeth. Nicki treated my husband with special care for his severe cellulitis, and it was healing before he was released to the care of a skilled nursing facility. We knew he was failing due to other extenuating activities, and Nicki showed outstanding empathy toward the family during this time. In closing, this nurse showed an unusual ability for healing not just the body, but every aspect of the human spirit."

Dr. Andrew Beykovsky, neurosurgeon, Ascension Medical Group

"I was experiencing the worst pain I had ever felt in my life due to having a compressed spinal cord, and I kept hitting dead ends with getting proper treatment to feel better. Once I saw Dr. Beykovsky, he recognized the emergent need to fix my spine so that I could have my quality of life back. He took quick action and got me in for surgery well before I expected. I woke up from surgery feeling better than I had in a while, nearly brand new. I am so grateful to him and his staff for caring for me with such urgency and care, and I feel forever indebted to him for the relief that he provided to me."

"After several visits to other providers and treatments Dr. Andrew Beykovsky found the correct diagnosis and provided me different treatment options. I felt hopeless and helpless until I found Dr. Beykovsky he completed 3 procedures and it was a complete life changer for me. I can't thank enough Dr. Andrew Beykovsky and his staff."

Ascension St. Elizabeth Labor and Delivery Team

"Throughout my pregnancy, I was hospitalized for an extended period of time — 6 weeks at once, plus additional hospital stays before/after, for the loss of one of my twin girls, and the birth of her sister (delayed interval twin delivery). The entire L&D team ensured I was always comfortable, well taken care of, and made the long stay bearable. All of these individuals who entered my room did so with the utmost care and compassion. They had such a positive impact on such a traumatic time in my life. They allowed me to grieve the loss of my twin A and provided me with the most beautiful mementos to honor our sweet girl. I will forever be grateful for their outstanding bedside manner, and for being my biggest cheerleaders — ensuring my twin B got here safely. They will forever be a huge part of our story and we will always speak highly of the care we received on the L&D unit at St Elizabeth!"

Amy Pepe, nurse practitioner, Ascension Mayfair Road

 "I am incredibly grateful for the excellent care I received from Amy Pepe. She was not only highly knowledgeable and thorough but also genuinely compassionate and attentive. Throughout my visits, she listened carefully without judgment, made me feel heard and respected, and took the time to understand my concerns. Her kindness, empathy, and commitment to my well-being made all the difference, and I felt truly cared for—both as a patient and a person."

Luke Coopman, registered nurse, Ascension Mercy

"Luke goes above and beyond to provide top notch care. I felt well cared for and my needs were immediately attended to. He made me feel less anxious about my procedure and after care. He is very competent and made me feel safe." 

Gina Martorano McIlwee, nurse navigator, Ascension Mayfair Road

"While my entire cancer team is outstanding, we would like to honor Gina Mortorano-McIlwee. From the very beginning, Gina was attentive, available and always responsive to our many questions, concerns and fears. Gina is wonderful and made such an incredible difference in my care!"

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