About Karen:

Cedar Lake resident with two children. Bachelor's degree in human resources from Calumet College of St. Joseph. Employed by Hammond Clinic in Munster since January 1982. Member of Society of Human Resource Management. Enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Accomplishments: Karen Weyer is director of human resources at Hammond Clinic. Before her promotion 10 years ago, she was payroll manager and later human resource manager. Weyer supervises a staff of five and oversees the payroll, benefits, recruiting, infection control and training departments. Her main role is to work with the changing needs of the clinic in all employee-related matters, to serve as an advocate for employees and to meet business objectives. Weyer is chairman of the PRIDE committee whose mission is to promote respect for patients and involvement in the community and express appreciation for clinic employees. The committee supports St. Joseph Soup Kitchen, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation, St. Jude House and the Hammond food pantry and promotes participation in Relay for Life. In the last three years, the committee has donated $25,000 to charitable organizations. "It's what I'm most proud of and the most fun," Weyer said. "It gives unity to all levels

of employees at Hammond Clinic. It's the heart of the clinic." Weyer believes in what the clinic does in health care. "We have an excellent group of physicians who are constantly on the cutting edge of providing full services to our patients," she said.

Personal hero: "My parents. They instilled a strong work ethic in me and the importance of friends and family."

What I read: "I like to read everything. James Patterson is probably one of the more enjoyable summer reads."

Advice: "When everyone thinks alike, then no one is thinking."

People might be surprised to know: "I make a really good margarita."

-SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com.