I spent 6 months and 20 days of last year in the Grand Forks Altru Hospital and Rehab Center and a short stay at the U of M Hospital. As you can imagine I met a lot of different Drs. and Nurses during this time. I mostly remember my time in Rehab, this is where I met Deneille Haberstroh. My first thoughts of her was she was very professional, very direct, did her job and did it right. I learned that there was much more to her than that.
Deneille didn’t perform some lifesaving act, she cared. That’s it, she cared and for that I will forever be grateful, she was there as a professional and more importantly a friend. We got to know each other and found we had some things in common, we both bow hunt for deer. She showed me pictures of her family hunting and I did the same. I don’t think people realize how much little things like this matter, obviously it mattered a lot to me.
I have been back to Altru several times for checkups and stuff and usually stop in to say “hi” to everyone. I have talked to Deneille and have learned that she has now completed her schooling and is an RN. She continues to attend school to better herself professionally but there is no school to teach people what Deneille has naturally. The gift to care, this is what will take Deneille as far as she wants to go in life.
I had never heard of this award before my stay in the hospital, I think it’s a great thing and I think that stories like this is what the award is intended for. I do hope that I have done my part in getting Deneille this award, because I know she has certainly done hers.