Celeski Honored as Statewide Hospital Hero

February 8, 2008

Dan Celeski, Crestwood Assistant Chief Nurse Anesthetist  was honored as a “Hospital Hero” for his dedication to the health care industry today at a luncheon hosted by the Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA). Celeski was one of ten hospital employees across the state to be honored.

From left to right: Dr. Pam Hudson, CEO; Dan Celeski, CRNA; Susan Bryce, Director of Perioperative Services

The association’s fifth-annual statewide “Hospital Heroes” contest is an effort to honor the dedication of hospital employees and to highlight health careers.

Dan Celeski, CRNA, MS, currently serves as assistant chief CRNA at Crestwood Medical Center where he has spent the past four and a half years of his 16-year health care career. Prior to arriving in Alabama, Celeski served in Naval Medical Centers in Tennessee, California, Washington and Japan. Co-workers describe Celeski as a caring individual who often takes his job a step beyond normal duties. During his time off, Celeski is often seen visiting patients through-out Crestwood, especially those without families or from a nursing home. He also involves his own family in these visits, often bringing patients drawings from his children or delivering flowers with his 14 year-old son.

An example of this caring spirit occurred when a man from Los Angeles was visiting Alabama and ended up in Crestwood’s oncology unit. Celeski learned the patient had no family with him and was soon visiting him and bringing the patient magazines. Celeski even brought his personal laptop so the patient could watch movies.

The man passed away while in the hospital, but Celeski is able to take solace in the fact that he was able to provide him some level of comfort during his time in the hospital. According to his co-workers, it is this passion for people that makes Dan Celeski a hero.