Celebrating LaVerne Peak: 20 years of patient care in enteral nutrition

LaVerne Peak believes everyone is put on Earth to do a job. She’s fulfilled her calling as an Enteral Nutrition Customer Service Specialist at IU Health for 20+ years and doesn’t plan on stopping soon – not even as she’s reached retirement.

“I am [just] not ready to completely give up the job,” Peak says. Her role is critical for the 25-30 patients she serves to receive their monthly Enteral Nutrition supplies like formula and feeding tubes. She continues to serve her patients with compassion and care three days a week from home, developing and maintaining close patient relationships exclusively via phone calls.

“In this job, you can become attached to the parents and/or patients [you serve]. You speak to them each month, and I can’t just call and set up a delivery and not carry on a conversation,” says Peak.

Peak spent 24 years in insurance before enrolling in Pharmacy technician training program from IU Health. She spent two years in IU Health’s Home Care Infusion Pharmacy department before transferring to her role in enteral nutrition, where she’s been ever since. Peak’s dedication to her role has made a lasting impact on the health and happiness of her patients. During her retirement transition, Peak was presented with a 24-page book teeming with well wishes, gratitude and congratulations from ~50 different patients and families she’s served.

“My daughter was placed on a feeding tube at the age of three. She is now 20. LaVerne has been with us all these years and will be greatly missed. She always brought a smile to my face as she has a bright light and is always so friendly and helpful,” says a patient’s family member.

Many patients, families and caregivers reflected on how Peak felt like a part of their family thanks to her consistent presence and care in their lives and calming spirit. Peak has considered it a blessing to be able to help others through her important role.

“My most rewarding component of this job is being able to encourage and inspire someone. If you treat people the way you want to be treated you can’t go wrong as you never know when you might be in that situation and need a kind voice or face to help you make it through,” Peak says.

Peak now spends her well-deserved days off hosting and traveling to visit out-of-state family with her husband and enjoys cheering on her grandchildren in football games and other activities they pursue.

Learn more about IU Health’s Enteral Nutrition services.