The Nurses Helping Nurses Foundation, established in 2013 to assist nurses and their families in times of need, brought staff together on Sunday, Aug. 14, to honor one of their own. Jodie Senffner, RN, a 20-year-member of the surgical intensive care unit, passed away on July 30, 2014. She was 49.

 

Together with SICU staff, James Senffner, Jodie’s husband, and two of her three children, Ben and Anne, gathered outside the north side of the Tower for a tree dedication in her honor. Paige Stephan, MD, staff chaplain, Department of Religion, Health and Human Values, led the ceremony, and friends and family shared stories about Jodie’s days at Rush. 

Each spring Nurses Helping Nurses holds its annual fundraiser. The 2015 event was dedicated to Jodie. Upon request from her family, a tree was planted with a memorial plaque in her honor.

 

After delivering her third child in 2006 Jodie was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a smooth muscle cancer that implanted in her uterus. Jodie fought, underwent multiple surgeries and new rounds of chemotherapy with each new diagnosis of metastasis. While fighting for her life, Jodie continued to work on and off until 2013, when she discovered she had bone metastasis and was forced to hang up her stethoscope. Jodie was surrounded by her family when she lost her 8-year battle with cancer.

 

“Jodie took great pride in being a nurse and even more pride in being a Rush Nurse," said Beth Breunig, RN. "She delivered all three of her children at Rush, and had her cancer treatment here through the gynecology-oncology department. She is missed.”