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Adventist Hinsdale Hospital working couple still very much in love
Gleda and Enver Sejmanovic share a giggle inside the new patient pavilion at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
Up close
Her employment: Sept. 6, 1969
His employment: April 10, 1972
Wedding date: Sept. 11, 1978
Article Extras
Updated: June 4, 2012 10:30AM
Love at first sight has lasted more than 33 years for a couple of longtime Adventist Hinsdale Hospital employees.
Enver and Gleda Sejmanovic met in 1978 while working at the hospital, after a friend asked Gleda if she was interested in meeting Enver. They set up a first date when Enver came to introduce himself and were married about four months later.
“I guess we were fixed up, and it was a great fix up,” Enver said. “It didn’t take long at all for me to know she was the one for me. She invited me to her apartment for our second date, and she cooked me a wonderful meal. She was also very neat and clean.”
Gleda’s first job at the hospital was as a housekeeper, a position at which she worked for six months. She moved out of the housekeeping area when a job opened as a switchboard operator.
Enver works as a maintenance electrician.
After more than 33 years of marriage, Gleda’s eyes still light up when she sees her husband.
“I am still very much in love,” she said. “I could not have found a more compatible life partner. He’s very patient and gentle.”
“It’s nice that I can come and say hi to her during the day,” he said. “With her job, she is the first impression people who call have of the hospital. She is perfect for that because of her kindness and the fact that she wants to help everyone.”
Both Gleda and Enver work the day shift at the hospital. Gleda works in a small room alongside two other switchboard operators. She generally fields nearly 400 calls each day.
“I more than love her,” said Adele Kealy, who has been working next to Gleda for the past 17 years. “She really cares about people and never has a harsh word. Her work ethic is old school; she’s very dedicated. I have grown from knowing her.”
Gleda’s job has changed over the years, mainly because of technology and growth of the hospital. Switchboard equipment is considerably more advanced than was the case when she started her job.
“Some things have changed in my job, but it’s still about trying to help people,” she said. “I represent the hospital, which I like. I put myself in the callers’ thoughts and needs.”
Over the years in his job as a maintenance electrician, Enver has worked in every area of the hospital. He also has become the person in charge of fixing any broken clock.
“One thing that is very different about our jobs is that I’m on my feet all day, and Gleda is seated while she’s at the switchboard,” Enver said. “She is very, very good with all the people who call the hospital, but I know that while she doesn’t mind the radio being on when we come to work, she doesn’t want it on when we go home. I think she just likes a little quiet after having people talk in her ear all day.”
