Pictured front to back are award recipient Jenny Pederson, Registered Nurse Amber Stroschein, Registered Nurse Alicia Wiseley-Peterson, Dr. David Goodwin, Registered Nurse Kathleen Maloney, Dr. Abby Murray, Care Center Nursing Director Sheila Miller, Senior Services Administrator Daren Rife, Chief Executive Officer Amy Hart, Chief Finance Officer Katie Berg, Chief Human Resource Officer Kim Blank, Surgical Services Director Joni Gutknecht, and Benefits Analyst Jess Spicer. 

 

Jenny Pederson of Brainerd, Registered Nurse Coordinator at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s Care Center, on May 2 received the Mary Lou Houle Nursing Excellence Award.

A CRMC employee the past 26 years, Pederson received the award for her dedication to the nursing profession, the residents she cares for and their families, and being a leading example of what nursing at CRMC embodies. She displays the highest standards of excellent patient care.

Her award nominators wrote, “Jenny is a role model for nurses and staff in long-term care, with a visible passion for caring for seniors. There is a motto with some of the nurses, “What would Jenny do?.” She is a leader for mentoring new nurses and nursing assistants. In tough situations, nurses reflect on “What would Jenny do in this situation?” to help guide them in critical thinking and steps needed.” They added that, “Jenny is a wonderful advocate for our residents. Everything she does has the residents’ best interests at the center of her actions. It’s evident she loves the residents with patience, kindness, and a caring attitude toward each resident she cares for. She really knows the residents, who they are, their past life history, and their family members. Residents and family members know Jenny by name and trust her to care for them and their loved ones.”

Pederson started her career at CRMC as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Care Center. She completed her RN degree at Brainerd Community College, now named Central Lakes College. She has been a charge nurse in the Care Center for more than 25 years. In Fall 2021, she moved into a new Quality Coordinator role where she is actively involved in bringing best practices to the Care Center.

CRMC established the Mary Lou Houle Nursing Excellence Award in 2010. Houle began her nursing career in 1959 at the original CRMC, Miner’s Hospital, and retired in 2010. She dedicated her career to the patients, families, and community of the Cuyuna Range.  She was a skilled Registered Nurse working in many areas such as Obstetrics, Surgery, the ER, Medical/Surgical, Staff Development, and Leadership.  She was renowned for her exceptional patient care and the level of dedication she demonstrated in every patient interaction.

Previous award winners include Terry Reynolds, Lea Carlson, Kristin Christensen, Sarah Oehrlein, Jesse Oman, Darcy Otto, Jackie Rinta, Christine Roy, Sharon Roy, Lisa Slepica, and Sandy Taylor.

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