All Over Albany

Five decades on the job

Back in the day (whenever that was), people often worked for the same company for decades, maybe their whole career. Now? Five years can seem like a long time. So this is kind of amazing: Albany Med says that one of its nurses crossed the 50-year mark with the hospital today. Lydia Skiba started there in 1962 after graduating from nursing school. She's still working full time -- as an assistant nurse manager in radiation oncology (press release post jump).

By the way: The release below notes Skiba's "infectious laugh." We hope that was that intentional. (You know, infectious, hospital...)

Albany Medical Center Nurse Celebrates 50 Years of Service

Lydia Skiba, RN, BS, still working full time

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LBANY, N.Y., September 17, 2012-- With a limousine ride to work and a reception held in her honor, registered nurse Lydia Skiba today marked 50 years of service at Albany Medical Center.

Skiba, who continues to work full-time as assistant nurse manager in radiation oncology, began working at the Medical Center on September 17, 1962 after graduating from Albany Med's school of nursing. She has held a number of positions throughout her career on floors serving patients in oncology and neurology.

"Over the last 50 years, Lydia Skiba has touched, taught, comforted and inspired countless numbers of employees and patients, and we all are grateful for her service," said James J. Barba, Albany Medical Center president and chief executive officer.

Known for her infectious laugh, Skiba, who lives in Troy, says she always wanted to be a nurse. "When I was a little girl, I always pretended that my dolls were sick and I had to take care of them," she says. She has cared for many patients throughout the years and when she runs into one she says she still remembers not only the person's name but the person's room number too.

"I always take care of patients the way I would want to be cared for. I try to give them choices, a sense of control. And I always support a patient's hope, not false hope, but hope for the enjoyment of life," she says.

Skiba now joins an elite group of eight Albany Med employees who have served the institution for 50 years or more.

"When you love what you do, time flies!" she says.