Jan Boonstra, MS, BSN, RN-BC, is a 2023 Good Samaritan of the Year award recipient for her outstanding service as a nurse leader, for being a loyal and generous supporter of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, and for her volunteerism in the greater community.
Jan Boonstra wasn’t planning to go back to school. But when she was pregnant with her fourth child, she decided she wanted to become a nurse.
“My husband and I had gotten married right out of high school. Then we had four kids in rapid succession,” explained Jan. “I had some trouble with my previous three pregnancies, but I ended up hospitalized for two months with our fourth.”
During those long months in the hospital, Jan experienced the impact each nurse had on their patients.
“I was so impressed by all the nurses who cared for me and all they did. They were gentle, compassionate and knowledgeable.”
After her stay, Jan and her husband received their hospital bill. They were young with four kids under the age of 6. They had very little money, but the community stepped in to help.
“Nurses and doctors, along with people we knew from church, all donated to help cover our expenses,” said Jan. “Seeing the generosity of our health care providers is what made we want to be a nurse.”
Going back to school wasn’t easy, but Jan graduated as a registered nurse. From the beginning, she loved her work.
“I started out at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in 1997. I worked on the floor in patient care for about six years. Then I ended up in a nursing leadership position, which I embraced and enjoyed. That led me to an administration leadership role within Advocate Health Care. When I got to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in 2006, I knew I’d found my family. The care was outstanding, and their health outcomes were incredible.”
Over the next 17 years, Jan would serve in almost every nurse leadership position at the hospital, including in pediatrics, education, clinical informatics, the emergency department, women’s health and behavioral health. When COVID hit, she served as the pandemic incident commander.
“The only department I never worked in was surgery,” she said. “But over the years, I pretty much got to see it all.”
One of the achievements Jan is most proud of is her work as coordinator for the Magnet program, which is a prestigious designation that recognizes hospitals that meet rigorous standards for excellence in nursing professionalism, teamwork and excellence in patient care. It’s the highest designation in nursing, and Advocate Good Samaritan just earned its fourth Magnet designation.
“My team and I were charged with telling the hospital’s story of the last four years and all that our nurses achieved. A lot of it was about the pandemic and how our nurses responded and cared for our patients. It was a fantastic experience.”
Giving back
Jan never forgot the generosity of the providers who helped her when she was hospitalized. So, along with dedicating herself to her work, she has also generously supported the hospital through charitable gifts for more than two decades.
“I’m inspired to give because of the nurses and doctors who donated to help me, but I also come from a family of volunteers,” explained Jan. “My parents both volunteered at school and in the community. I can remember helping to prepare meals for those in need. That was an important part of my life, and I feel strongly about giving back.”
In addition, Jan has served on multiple committees, including Advocate Charitable Foundation’s internal teammate giving program. She’s volunteered in the community by educating people in CPR and the use of AEDs. She regularly attends and supports hospital events and has been a champion for philanthropy.
“Nurses give back in a lot of ways, and I believe it’s a leader’s responsibility to encourage giving. I’ve seen the impact of philanthropy firsthand in multiple departments across the hospital. It’s not just about buying a piece of equipment; it’s about doing things that set us apart and help us make things better during the worst times of people’s lives.”
How you can help
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital is part of Advocate Health, a not-for-profit hospital system that relies on the support of donors like you for many programs and services. You can make a difference by donating today.