Seventy-eight-year-old Lana Lucas, RN, is full of spunk and isn’t planning on retiring anytime soon.
She claims she has given millions of vaccinations over the course of her lengthy career, and is in the thick of it now with the COVID-19 vaccination effort.
Lucas has been with Spectrum Health for 30 years and boasts a full career in the field spanning nearly 60 years. Previously employed in employee health services, she helped Spectrum Health team members with annual flu shot campaigns, but most recently has been redeployed to community vaccine clinics.
“I love what I do,” she says with a smile. “I just have no desire to retire because I love it.”
An urgent care nurse at heart, Lucas worked at various hospitals and doctors’ offices early on in her career and only took one six-month break during her career—and that was due to a cancer diagnosis.
Lana battled endometrial cancer in 2012, which put her in bed for nearly four months. She went through 28 radiation treatments and six chemo treatments along her road to recovery.
“I have gone through some tough days,” Lucas said.
Soon, she returned to nursing as it is what she loves doing.
Her roots run deep at Spectrum Health—she even babysat John Huntington, MD, an anesthesiologist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and remembers changing his diapers back in the ’60s.
She is dubbed “the Golden Girl of nursing” as her team couldn’t help but think of her when the popular TV series “The Golden Girls” aired. She brings Golden Girls magnets to work with her every day and says it helps ease patients’ fears and breaks the ice.
“I’m definitely Blanche if I had to be one of the Golden Girls,” she said with a smirk. “I can be naughty sometimes.”
‘An engrained love for people’
Her initial schooling cost $289 in 1962 and she still has her textbook of practical nursing that taught her everything she knows today.
“In 1962 I became a practical nurse because I had an engrained love for people,” she said. “I wanted to take care of people. And here I am today still doing it.”
She says the satisfaction of what she does for people is what she enjoys most about nursing. And how people respond to her bright personality and precision care.
“Lana is very fun to work with—she makes coming to work fun,” said Jocelyn Dawson, clinical office aide at Spectrum Health. “You always look forward to it when she’s here. She has a beautiful soul. And she calls me pumpkin.”
Tammy Wisener, RN, has been working flu clinics with Lana for several years now, and the two are side by side most days working in community vaccine clinics.
“Lana is such a blast to work with,” she said. “She is such a recognizable face at the hospital. Who knew a flu shot could be fun to get? But when Lana is in the room, that sure seems to be the case.”
Hope for the future
When asked about the pandemic, she said she believes we’re nearing the light at the end of the tunnel.
“We are all going to come out of this stronger,” she said. “It’s just going to take time… I don’t see it happening overnight. The sooner that people get their vaccine, the sooner we will be out of this pandemic.”
She said emotional is a good way of explaining how people feel after getting vaccinated. She has even had someone break down in tears from pure joy after getting the shot.
“I have never seen anything like this in my career,” Lucas said. “I had no idea that I would live through something like this. It’s been very stressful and a lot of hours. But it has been rewarding. I have no regrets.”
Lucas is no stranger to 13-hour shifts and vaccinating hundreds of people in just one day.
She wants the community to know that the vaccine is safe and effective and hopes people will come out to get vaccinated when it is their turn.
“You should get the vaccine for your own safety, for your family, for your friends and for the entire community.”
I have known Lana quite literally my whole life. She used to baby sit for me and my brothers. My parents trusted and adored her. She is an amazing lady.
Love you Lana!
I’ve worked the flu clinics with Lana, always a whoot!! Love you lady. You ROCK!!
Love you LANA!!!!
I had the pleasure of working with Lana for the Flu Clinic when I first started at Spectrum. She was always a lot of fun, and made the days go quickly. Love you Lana!
Thank you, nurse Lana!
Gramma Lana!! Look at you! So glad SH is shinning a spotlight your way. It has been a pleasure to get to know you and a little bit of your life’s story, experiences and be part of the fun and positive energy you bring to the covid clinics. You Lady are a ROCK STAR!
I had the privilege of working with Lana in Employee Health and Occupational Health. She is such an amazing lady!
We are so blessed to have Lana as a member of our team! She is truly one-of-a kind! Thank you for your amazingness, Lana!
I worked with Lana in Employee Health. Such a great gal! Funny, kind, compassionate and a Disney Fan! Thank you for all you do Lana. You are loved by so many.
Lana your the best! Such fond memories of working with you at Alpine Urgent Care.
Lana, you are surely one of a kind. Keep up the great work!
this is just amazing to see on a monday morning. i don’t know lana but i wish i did! she seems like such a force and i’m thankful to be a part of the extended team supporting wonderful frontline individuals like lana. well done!
I was very blessed to have the joy of working with Lana at Plainfield Urgent Care. It was such a comfort knowing that she could handle any situation that came through the doors. Way to go friend.
Lana was so sweet and I really appreciate her-she deserves a Daisy for sure! 🙂
Lana is a role model for me as I too am considered to be ‘older’. If you love what you do and service is in your soul you keep going. Lana is an amazing woman and brings people together. Love her!
Lana is an awesome person. Has a heart of gold!! Loved working with her at SHCC!! Thank you for all you do, Lana!!
Lana is just the absolute best. We met in nursing school when she was going for her RN degree. She was the best study buddy. I now have the privilege to work with her regularly during Flu vaccine season and now Covid vaccine. She makes everyone around her smile and feel good about themselves. She is a treasure for sure.
Yay Lana!! You are a joy to work with 😊
I was one of her Covid vaccine patients at 60th street. She was an absolute joy…..just bubbling over and was pleased to hand over what she called my “Gold Card” as it was my second shot. A very wonderful visit there…..thank you to all of you that have put in all those hours with a smile!!! We are grateful!
I had the pleasure of working with Lana at Employee Health Services and doing flu clinics! She is a riot to work with and will always have you smiling! Love you Lana!
Lana You ROCK!!! As a working Nurse not ready for retirement, I truly appreciate the encouragement that your coworkers are giving you rather than trying to push you out the door! I also commend Spectrum Health for their acknowledgment of your dedication and how they have maintained your employment. This does not happen in all health care facilities or with their employees!