It’s all about compassion and care and that is Trudi as a nurse, healthcare provider, coworker, and person. She is truly a role model and an amazing caregiver. There is not one example of Trudi being outstanding in her role as a nurse, but many. Every day she is on the unit she is working tirelessly, diligently, and empathetically, helping her patients understand their care (when it comes to expectations, medications, procedures, etc.), issues, treatments, and ramifications. This extends to patient family members too. She patiently and compassionately explains, answers questions, and most importantly, listens, until her patients and family members have clarity and feel at ease.

Of utmost importance to her is her patient’s comfort. She instills faith and hope. Trudi is so concerned about her patients and each of us, as her coworkers, as we go through, at times, our own emotional and exhausting roller coaster rides, at the hospital or in our lives outside of the medical center. I know her patients look forward each day to seeing Trudi as we do. She cares so deeply for others, they become like family to her, so it’s no surprise to hear that she works tirelessly for charity, especially the Heart Walk, through the American Heart Association, every year. She is so devoted to seeing funds raised to help her patients and the community that she leads the Heart Walk team and makes baskets, headbands (which helped so much at the height of the pandemic for mask-wearing), and other helpful items for the cause.

Most importantly, she puts her time and effort into volunteering and organizing and her passion resonates. She rallies us all to help in giving back to our patients, community, and the fight and prevention against heart disease. She also writes a monthly newsletter for our unit to help inform, unify, strengthen our comradery, and bring us much-needed humor along with healthcare updates and education. Every day her knowledge and skills are evident. Trudi analyzes the best position, plan, and treatments to give to her patients and makes sure they feel important and cared for. Trudi’s tireless, devoted, and skilled passion for healthcare and her patient’s well-being makes a huge impression on us all. She stands out as a nurse willing and able to go beyond the normal call of duty.

I never have to worry when I call Trudi about a patient needing help, I know that whatever they need will be taken care of and addressed. The same with her discharges and admissions, I know that everything is always done and taken into consideration. I can’t remember a single patient having to call back to the unit to verify or ask questions, as she makes certain her patients and family have a clear understanding of their care and aftercare and tries to answer every question they have, even exceeding their expectations by understanding and anticipating needs. She absolutely looks for opportunities to create a welcoming and special environment for us, with her kindness and amazing humor and I know her patients feel the same.

Comments from our patients: “Trudi was exceptional”, “Excellent”, “Amazing”, “Trudi was exceptional and explained things well.”, “Trudi should be recognized as the BEST nurse ever.”