Medline CEO Jim Boyle and Nicole Krpan, general manager of respiratory care, recognized the longest-tenured employees with special service awards as part of the celebration, which included lunch, speeches, birthday cake and tours of the facility.

“For this facility and its people to continue to play such an important role in healthcare after 50 years is quite an achievement,” Boyle said. “Everything Medline does comes down to its people, serving our customers and making healthcare run better. This location became a part of that mission the moment it became part of Medline several years ago, and we’re so appreciative of the great work that happens here.”

Krpan told employees that “lives are changed for the better because of the work you do here every single day.”

“At Arlington Heights, you produce something that goes far beyond sterile water or saline,” she said. “You help produce comfort and relief.”

Guests included state Sen. Mark Walker, state Rep. Mary Beth Canty and Jim Tinaglia, the mayor of Arlington Heights.

“Fifty years is a long time – a long time to be on the planet, but a really long time for any village to have a business like this,” Tinaglia said. “If not for all of you doing what you do every day, that would not happen. My thanks to all of you doing all that you do, keeping all of us working together for the common good.”