January 2023 Honoree

Joan Drake, RN

  • Helicopter Service
  • University Hospital
  • Columbia
    ,
    MO
    ,
    United States
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Joan Drake has a career in health care spanning more than 40 years and has been a part of MU Health Care and the Staff for Life Helicopter Service — now MU Air Medical Services — since the 1980s.

“She is one of the unsung heroes of this organization and deserves recognition,” her nomination read.

Drake’s navigation of the joint venture between Global Medical Network and MU Health Care puts her in a place where she is responsible for our image and brand in a way that many others will never understand, the nomination describes.

In her role, Drake inspires staff from both MU Health Care and Global Medical Network to represent MU Health Care when entering outside facilities and on-scene flights in which the helicopter service is the first impression of MU Health Care.

“Her expectations are evident in everything that the service does, from our excellent and advanced care to our uniforms, she expects us to represent this organization with the pride it deserves.”

Thank you, Joan, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.

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