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BOBBI FRATZKE | CHI HEALTH GOOD SAMARITAN A Legacy of Care: Bobbi Fratzke Reflects on 42 Years of Compassion in the OR and Beyond
For more than four decades, Bobbi Fratzke has walked through the doors of Good Samaritan Hos - pital ready to face whatever the day— or night—might bring. As an Anesthe- sia Nurse working primarily in the Op - erating Room and Emergency Depart - ment, her job is as
that help me reset,” she says. “You can’t carry the weight of every shift home with you. You have to have healthy outlets, and over the years, I’ve learned how important it is to nurture that balance.” One of the most touching reminders of why she continues in this demanding profession came in the form of a child’s drawing. Years ago, Bobbi helped care for a young girl who was critically injured in a serious car accident. The child’s recovery was long and uncertain, but she eventually pulled through. “She gave me a picture she had drawn as a thank-you,” Bobbi recalls. “It meant so much to me. I still have that picture hanging on my locker. Every time I see it, I’m re - minded that what we do truly matters.” That quiet, lasting impact is something Bobbi sees as the essence of nursing. “Sometimes it’s the big, dramatic saves that stick with people, but just as often it’s the simple kindnesses, the steady presence, the little moments that patients remember.” And every now and then, those moments of recognition come full circle. “There have been times when patients or even their family members remember me years later and say thank you. That’s incredibly meaningful.” Of course, the job hasn’t always been easy. Bobbi recalls one particularly grueling night shift where she worked nonstop through a life-threatening emergency. The patient’s prognosis was grim, but against the odds, they made it through surgery. Afterward, both the surgeon and anesthesiologist made a point to personally thank her for her skill and dedication during the case. “That meant the world to me,” she says. “We all do our part, and to have that recognized is something I’ll never forget.” When asked what she would tell someone considering a career in healthcare today, Bobbi doesn’t sugarcoat it. “Nursing is hard. The hours are long, the situations can be heartbreaking, and it takes everything you have some days. But it is also one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. You get to be there for people in their most vulnerable moments. You get to offer hope,
comfort, and care—and that’s a privilege.” For 42 years, Bobbi Fratzke has been that steady, caring presence for thousands of patients and families. Through long nights, difficult cases, and quiet victories,she’s built a career defined not just by skill, but
by compassion, resilience, and heart. Her story is a powerful reminder that great nurses don’t just administer care—they shape lives, inspire teams, and leave a legacy of healing that goes far beyond the walls of the hospital.
Bobbi Fratzke
high-stakes as it gets. Every case is differ - ent, every minute matters, and the emotional weight of the work is ever-present. But even after 42 years in healthcare, Bobbi still car- ries the same drive and purpose that led her into nursing in the first place: a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Her nursing journey began with admiration and inspiration. “My aunt was a nurse,” Bobbi shares. “She would talk about how meaningful it was to care for people, to be there when they needed help the most. She really lived that out, and I wanted to do the same. I looked up to her in every way.” What started as a role model’s influence quickly became a calling, and before long, Bobbi found herself immersed in a career that would shape her entire life. Throughout the years, she has served in a variety of roles, but it’s her current work in anesthesia and trauma that has defined her most recent decades. The nature of this work brings Bobbi face-to-face with some of the most severe, urgent, and emotionally charged situations in medicine. “Most of my time is spent in the OR and the Emergency Department,” she explains. “We see a lot of trauma—serious injuries, sudden crises—and unfortunately, not all patients survive. Those cases are always hard. They stay with you.” Despite the emotional demands of the job, Bobbi has developed ways to stay grounded. She finds comfort in the quiet moments of everyday life—tending to her garden, cooking meals, caring for animals, and being with her family. “Those are the things
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