WAPPINGERS FALLS— Mary Lou Koziol was honored recently for her 40 years of service to the nursing profession in the same location. Koziol started working in the pediatrics department. She worked for a year and then had her first child. She continued part-time for another year. She had two more children. Koziol moved with her family to Wappingers Falls.

“I had planned to go back to pediatrics,” she said.

Instead, she began working at Central Dutchess Nursing Home, what is now Elant at Wappingers.

“It was close to home,” she said. “I worked every Saturday for many years and evenings, always.”

Koziol was honored for her 40 years of service to the facility that has been known as Central Dutchess Nursing Home, Hudson Haven Care Center and Elant.

“When I started only one wing was open- the south wing,” said Koziol.

Her co-workers throughout the years, remarked Koziol, have been “wonderful.”

“It’s just always been a pleasure to do nursing, to make a difference,” said Koziol.

Donna Frazier was honored for her 25 years of service.

“I actually was a CNA (certified nurse assistant) when I first started working,” said Frazier.

She went back to school and earned her degree in occupational therapy.

“Now, I’m the director of rehabilitation,” she commented.

The 25 years went by quickly, she said.

“I loved what I did. I had a passion for what I did,” remarked Frazier.

She said the “family-like environment,” her “amazing” staff and the patients keep her coming back to work.

“What makes an organization like this would be the quality of staff we choose to work here,” said Elant’s Gordon McAleer.

George Michaels, administrator for Elant at Fishkill, stated, “I want to recognize all the employees and how valuable they are.”

Rose Schwalb, who started out in dietary department and now works in human resources, was honored for her years of service.

“There’s a lot of teamwork and working together,” said Schwalb.

Others who were honored for their years of service were: John Manning, 25 years; Deborah Hillard, 20 years; Susan Knapp, 20 years and Chris Pineiro 20 years.