About 70 years ago, a nurse told Elena Griffing she should consider giving up her 3-inch heels while making rounds at the hospital. Griffing still wears heels, and she still makes the rounds at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland.
Griffing, now a spry 90-year-old, was recently honored by Sutter Health for her seven decades of hard work and compassion for patients.
But this is not a story about her retirement. Griffing was quoted as saying "Sutter Health has given me the opportunity to continue to do what I love. I want to work forever."
She started at Alta Bates Community Hospital in Berkeley when she was 20. She now works four days a week as a patient relations representative.
What helped her professional longevity?
Griffing has only called in sick four times. Four times in 70 years.
She walks several miles a day and avoids junk food. She's also an active member of the Frank Sinatra fan club.
