Healthcare Servant Leaders

Wisconsin Lutheran College prepares its students to serve as Christian leaders in the workplace and community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have found themselves serving on the front lines. Here are stories from several Warriors alumni - in their own words - who have been experiencing the crisis up-close on a daily basis.

BETHANY (WAGENKNECHT) SURRATT ’19, RN St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center

(Bethany is pictured at left.) “Living in Idaho far away from all of my friends, I knew my first year of nursing would be a challenge. During this pandemic, I took care of a patient from New York City. As my patient was relying on his healthcare team and technology to get him through his COVID-19 diagnosis, I found myself using technology every day to talk to my friends from the WLC nursing program. WLC prepared me to show Christian love and compassion to my patients across the country. It was an awesome experience watching my patient heal and head back to New York to be with family. Technology helps, but I sure do miss my WLC family!”

ALLISON BROWN ’17, RN St. Luke’s Hospital, Milwaukee

“As a nursing student at WLC, every day I walked past the statue of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. The meaning of being a Christian servant leader has never been clearer in my life than it is right now. Being a servant leader is putting others’ needs before your own. Jesus tells us in John 15:12, ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.’ I volunteered to help staff an emergency department overflow tent for COVID-suspected patients. I chose to volunteer for this position so that my coworkers did not have to be in the position of bringing home germs to their loved ones. It fills me with joy knowing that there are brothers and sisters in Christ praying for healthcare workers and the patients and families who have been affected. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to serve God by serving others.”

JASMINE (KAWALEC) FINUCANE ’17, RN RACHEL BORCHARD ’13, RN KRISTEN WILSON ’12, RN Birth Center, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee

“It’s a blessing to have a group of WLC nurses working together on the same unit! We are all working hard to keep our new moms and newborns safe during this time. We will continue to provide the best care to our special population here. May God continue to keep us strong on the front lines during this difficult time.”

NATALIE ANDERSON ’19, RN

“While nothing can truly prepare a nurse to enter the profession amidst a worldwide pandemic, I believe WLC laid the groundwork and has given me a solid foundation to build my career upon, centered on the Lord as my rock. My medical-surgical unit was turned into a second ICU at my hospital to care for COVID patients. My coworkers and I received special training to better assist the ICU nurses in preparing for a surge in patients. While it has been very challenging at times, it is incredibly rewarding to be able to help others during this pandemic. I know we will come out stronger through all of this!”

DERRICK HOLMES JR. ’16, RN Froedtert Hospital and Rogers Behavioral Health

“As I find myself in unprecedented times as a servant leader, healthcare provider, and Christian, I can confidently say I was prepared for this day. The nursing program at WLC equipped me for my nursing roles through rigorous curriculum and beyond. As servant leaders, it becomes our responsibility to understand that everyone responds to change differently, and with that I am more patient and supportive of my co-workers. This is an opportunity for us to unite and become a better team for the greater good of our patients and communities.”

BRADLEY WOLLER ’17 Public Health Tech, Kenosha County Division of Health

“During this outbreak, I am on the front lines as I continue to manage several of the Court Mandated Drug Testing programs, see clients for select services, and work a case load of patients related to COVID-19. Our division reports on every positive case, contact cases, and people who have the symptoms of this virus, which grows every day as more cases roll in. I also help manage and distribute our supply of PPE. WLC gave me the skills and knowledge to work as a team during critical times and how to use proper time management.”

KYRA MUNOZ ’15, RN Birth Center, Froedtert Hospital

“Bringing a new life into the world is a miraculous blessing but can be very nervewracking and scary, especially now in the midst of COVID-19. My time at WLC has prepared me not only with the clinical skills to take care of my patients, but also with a heart and spirit of service filled with love, compassion, and a calming presence during uncertain times.”