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Boscobel Area Health Care nurse honored at State banquet

Theresa Braudt, RN, Cardio-Pulmonary Coordinator is the winner of the 2008 Wisconsin Hospital Association Pride Contest. Braudt's essay on why she is proud to work is healthcare was printed by the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), along with 75 other health care employees.

Braudt says she chose "health care as a career because I wanted to make a difference." In her essay, she talked about taking care of a close friend who had a serious illness. "I was the only person that she would accept assistance from during her worst moments," says Braudt. "She allowed me to help her do things that she wouldn't allow family to do, for example: cleaning up bodily fluids and witnessing her fear along with sadness... She told me that I would make an excellent nurse."

Theresa knew being a nurse was about more than taking care of an individual's physical needs, but also providing emotional support.

"To me, every day in health care is a reaffirmation of deciding to become a nurse. Nothing is more rewarding than assisting a patient maintain dignity and pride during the process of death, witnessing a mother give birth, assisting sick patients transform into healthier individuals, or just providing support for patients and their families."

Theresa received her award at the 2008 Wisconsin Health Care Employee Pride Program recognition dinner at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells last week.

The program, sponsored by WHA, is designed to celebrate the health care workforce and recognize their "truly amazing" contributions to the health of their communities, according to WHA President Steve Brenton.

"People who work in hospitals are among Wisconsin's most dedicated and valuable employees. It takes special people to care for others and our communities are richer, safer and healthier places to live because of these professionals," Brenton said. "Whether they are on the front lines, or supporting those who deliver patient care, every health care employee helps improve the health status in the community where they live and work."