Vicki Dueringer, RN. (middle), is presented with the DAISY Award by (clockwise) Ed Wittrock, vice president- regional system, Pam Gehrig, Lynn Frank, chief nursing officer and Sue Albee, assistant administrator.

Vicki Dueringer, RN has been helping patients in a variety of ways over the past 39 years in nursing. Thirteen of those years have been in the Luther Midelfort system. She has had various roles at Luther Midelfort — as a nurse, director and more recently, a certified health coach. Her passion in caring for others is very obvious, and that makes her a great DAISY Award honoree. An example of Vicki’s ability to reassure patients in their time of need is described in the story below.

While working in triage, Vicki got a phone call from a distressed parent who lives in Bloomer. While driving on Highway 93 south of Eau Claire with her young son in the backseat, the mother noted that her son was having trouble breathing. The mother was not familiar with the area and didn’t know what to
do, so she called Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley in Bloomer and asked to speak to a nurse. As Vicki was talking to the mother — who was crying by this time — the mother indicated that the child was
experiencing increased respiratory distress. Vicki asked the mother what town she was near. When the mother told her she was near Arcadia, Vicki Googled “hospitals near Arcadia, Wis.” She found a
link to the Arcadia hospital, then clicked on the link for directions. She then navigated the mother to the hospital. Vicki stayed on the line with the mother until she pulled in the hospital parking lot.

The day that Vicki was presented with the DAISY Award, she had told Pam Gehrig, clinic director for Bloomer and Colfax, that she had never received an award for anything. Vicki was surprised and very appreciative of the recognition. “Providing excellent care to our patients is always about a team effort and support of my co-workers,” Vicki said.