Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Orthopaedics Clinic Licensed Practical Nurses Laura Pickar of Fort Ripley and Tracy Atwater of Brainerd this week received the organization’s Trophy Fish Award for going above and beyond in their job duties.

The nurses were in the pharmacy on their break to pick up some candy and while they were there, they encountered an orthopaedics patient who recently had a total joint replacement. When the patient stepped back from the counter, the nurses noticed he was sweaty and clammy. The two nurses knew the patient had a history of stroke and diabetes and they quickly came to his aid. They promptly called 911 and stayed with the patient until help arrived. The patient was taken to the ER for an evaluation and was very thankful for their keen observation skills.

Pickar joined CRMC as an EMT in 2010 and became a LPN in 2015.  She holds a LPN Diploma from Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Atwater has been a member of CRMC’s staff since 2009. She earned her LPN Diploma at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

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