Ken Kozole and Shauna Larson Retire

42 Collective Years at Shriners Hospitals for Children Comes to an End for Two Senior Staff Members

Two staff members who have worked for Shriners Hospitals for Children — Salt Lake City for over 20 years are retiring. Ken Kozole, OTR/L, BSME, ATP, who started July 29, 1998 and Shauna Larson, RT, who started October 2, 2000.

Ken called the last 22 years a privilege and joy. He has loved working with the children, their families, the hospital staff, the Shriners and the team at the wheelchair, seating and mobility program. “We have come a long way since 1998,” said Ken. “We started our services from the closet across the hall from the therapy department!Many changes have occurred during the years and I’m sure will continue in the future, but for me, it’s time for another adventure.” 

Scott Jerome, MPT, CPSI, calls Ken a true mentor who has made him better as a person and professional. Matt Lowell, MPT, added that Ken is not only an amazing therapist, engineer and inventor, he is also one of the best human beings he’s ever met.

Hospital Administrator Kevin Martin, RN, MPH/HSA, FACHE, hailed Ken’s ingenuity in creating a premier seating and positioning service for children from all over America and Northern Mexico. He was named Employee of the Year in 2018 as voted by Shriners Hospitals for Children — Salt Lake City staff members.

Shauna will remember all the fabulous people she had the opportunity to work with. “Seeing patients and families come to radiology for their post-op spine X-rays and being able to show them the before and after images brings tears of joy to them as well as me,” said Shauna. She’ll also remember midnight golf, Friday BBQs and the amazing physicians. “I have so many, the list could go on and on!”

Cathy DePew (Peaches) said that Shauna is a great teacher and is always so patient. Chanelle Snelson calls Shauna everyone’s mother, cheerleader, therapist, comedian, best friend and mentor. “She has been such an important part of this hospital, not just the radiology department,” said Chanelle. Courtney Meier will miss having her be a sounding board for all things work and life. Nancy Kitt said Shauna is a good person who truly cares about people and what is going on in their lives.

Kevin Martin has watched Shauna’s career progress and evolve for the past 20 years. “Shauna has weathered many storms but stayed strong as the radiology department went through two or three remodels, new technology integrations, introduction of the first EOS radiology machine in Utah, managing films for outreach clinics and converting to outside radiology reads when Dr. Murray retired,” said Kevin.

It’s always hard to see our beloved staff leave us, but we couldn’t be happier to celebrate their amazing careers and impact they’ve had on patients, their families and the hospital staff.

If you’d like to send a note to Ken or Shauna as they retire, please email your well wishes and they will be passed on!