NURSES the heart of health care

Nurses are the heart and soul of hospitals, clinics, schools, residential facilities, in-home care, and much more. Nurses educate, console, relate, comfort and endear themselves to patients and families. Nursing is a demanding profession that requires extraordinary skill and compassion.

That rings true even more in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where nurses can find themselves on the front lines of a worldwide health crisis at a moment’s notice.

These tireless professionals deserve every bit of recognition they will receive during National Nurses Week, which kicked o this week. Locally, the Globe Gazette took part in honoring the area’s own nurses with a contest, this special section and an awards event scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at Columbia Club (formerly the Knights of Columbus), 551 S. Taft Ave.

The 2023 honorees are:

 Brian Ayersman, Community Health Center, Mason City

 Sheri Boelman, Rehabilitation Center of Belmond

 Barb Brosdahl, Good Shepherd Health Center

 Kelly Brown, Country Meadow Place

 Nicole Heifner, Iowa Specialty Hospital, Belmond and Clarion

 Paula Kruger, Gabrielson Clinics for Women

 Amy Luick, Iowa Specialty Hospital, Belmond

 Tricia Polzin, Belmond Family Practice Clinic Pediatrics

 Brittney Shafer, Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics, Clarion

 Pam Young, Mason City Clinic

 Lisa Welper, Mason City Clinic

 Ashley Wilkinson, Iowa Specialty Hospitals, Curries, Mason City

Thank you to our sponsors

Presenting sponsor: Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics

MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center

Community Health Center

Country Meadows Place

Good Shepherd Inc.

North Iowa Area Community College