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Colleagues Surprise Retiring Coworker With Paint Job

Susan Fiscus’ colleagues painted her house as a surprise gift to mark her retirement from St. Luke's.
August 18, 2014

Others might get a fun lunch, a nice flower arrangement, and a great card to mark their retirements.

Susan Fiscus’ colleagues painted her house. While she wasn’t looking.

Susan started working in housekeeping at the local hospital in the Wood River Valley more than 22 years ago, before the hospital was part of St. Luke’s Health System. In her long career, she has served in multiple management roles, most recently as building services coordinator.

In the nomination for the President’s Award that she received earlier this year, co-workers noted the critical role she has played in the operations of St. Luke’s Wood River, her mentorship of new managers, and her immense value as a role model and friend to many in the Wood River Valley.

She’s retiring at the end of this month to spend more time with her husband and co-workers, who know that their unassuming colleague does not like to be the center of attention and did not want a retirement party, cooked up a little party of their own. A house-painting party.

The Building Services staff conspired with St. Luke’s Wood River leadership and her family to paint the Carey house Aug. 5 while she was at an appointment in Ketchum. Her two children, Tina and TJ, and the crew were hiding out in Carey waiting to start painting the house.

When Susan and her husband got back that afternoon, they could not believe their eyes. The house sported a gleaming new coat of paint and the team was putting finishing touches on the job.

“I will always cherish the friendships that I have made during my life at St. Luke’s,” she said, “but the Building Services guys take the cake – and most of the time eat it too, but that is beside the point!

“I am so grateful that they have been a big part of my journey,” she said. “This valley is very fortunate to have each and every one of them.”