Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Danuta Jurgowska’s career as a registered nurse spanned three decades and was marked by exceptional care for both residents and her coworkers.
Immigrating from Poland after the end of the Cold War, Jurgowska learned that her education and caregiving experience would not be recognized in the United States. Undeterred, she worked tirelessly to achieve credentials in nursing that would be recognized in her new home, all while still working and caring for three children.
Jurgowska ultimately did achieve her career goal and became an RN. In the years to follow, she turned down multiple promotions, always remaining dedicated to hands-on care. Her care for people extended to residents and coworkers alike.
“If I had to choose a single exemplary event,” her nominator said, “it would have to be when Danuta’s coworker Lina lost her home in a tragic fire. Danuta started a fundraiser and leveraged her entire network of friends, coworkers and family to quickly raise over $2,000 and get Lina back on her feet.”
Perhaps nothing provided greater evidence of her lifelong spirit of generous care than the overwhelming response to the announcement of her impending retirement: the celebration of her career drew four times as many guests as expected! Now enjoying a well-earned retirement, Jurgowska’s boundless caring energies are now focused on her grandchildren
- Before moving to the United States, Jurgowska provided care as a midwife in Poland.
- Jurgowska is a talented soprano, leading the choir at her church, and she is known to lend her vocal talents at family weddings.
- Each year, she participates in a four-day, 70-mile walking pilgrimage.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.
