From a young age, I was determined to pursue a career in the medical field as I loved helping others. I began as a candy striper at fourteen, became a Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) while still in high school in 1989, earned my EMT certification in 1992, and graduated with an associate’s degree in nursing in 2002. I worked as a CNA throughout high school and was fortunate to have my entire nursing education funded by scholarships, excluding textbooks. I spent the first thirteen years of my nursing career in geriatrics before exploring various specialties between 2002 and 2006, including mother-baby, high-level nursery, orthopedics, neuro, med/surg, telemetry, and ICU. The ICU’s intensity and the clinical skills it required deepened my passion for learning, and I worked there until 2016. I later transitioned to Acute Triage, earned a master’s degree in nursing education, and am now proudly employed full-time as a Clinical Nurse Educator for VISN 15, where I have the privilege to serve the veterans of our great nation. I am the founder and President of Nurse Honor Guard St. Louis (NHGSTL), and I can truly say that, aside from motherhood, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. NHGSTL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and while it has required immense dedication—blood, sweat, and tears—it has been driven above all by love. Our mission is to honor nurses at the end of life or upon entering eternal rest, while also fostering camaraderie and support within our membership. Two quotes that capture our journey are: “There is no better way to find yourself than to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi, and “Don’t cry for me when I’m gone, celebrate me while I’m here.” – Unknown.

I am a retired SSM St. Louis employee with over 44 years of service. I began my career as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in the ICU, where my compassion, empathy, and patience earned me the respect of my colleagues, many of whom encouraged me to pursue nursing. After earning my BSN from SIUE, I returned to the same ICU, transitioning to an RN role. I specialized in cardiovascular recovery, neurosurgery, and trauma for 11 years, followed by 12 years in the cardiac cath lab. It has been a blessing to have had such a fulfilling dual career. I was introduced to the Nurse Honor Guard in 2019, and despite the challenges of COVID, we launched our St. Louis chapter in 2022. Being part of the NHGSTL has been deeply rewarding, as it allows me to honor fallen nurses and celebrate their lifelong dedication to the profession.

My love for nursing traces back to my childhood. As a young girl, I would create a “hospital” in my Barbie house, where my nurse doll, Julia, would care for patients. As I grew older, I rescued animals—kittens, dogs, and anything in need of help—fostering a deep connection to the idea of nursing. As an adult, I explored several career paths, but nothing quite clicked until I enrolled in nursing school. There, I discovered my true calling, eventually earning a master’s degree in nursing education. Throughout my nursing career, I’ve had the privilege of working in diverse settings, but my true passions are in the ICU and teaching. I find immense fulfillment in caring for critically ill patients and supporting their families, as well as guiding future nurses to become confident, skilled professionals. As a staunch advocate for the nursing profession, I was intrigued when I first heard about the Nurse Honor Guard. Not long after, a dear friend reached out, inviting me to help start a local chapter. The friendships, camaraderie, and support I’ve experienced within this group of fellow nurses has been extraordinary. Being part of this effort, and having the opportunity to honor nurses at the end of their life journey, is a passion I am committed to continuing.

I am a retired Registered Nurse, having graduated from Lewis and Clark Community College in 1995. I began my nursing career at Alton Memorial Hospital, where I worked from 1995 to 2002 in Telemetry, and ICU. In February 2023, a very dear friend passed and NHGSTL was a part of her service. I was deeply moved by the tribute and knew then that I had to be a part of this special group, honoring those who have dedicated their lives to the nursing profession.

In 1980, I began my career at Wood River Township Hospital as a CNA. During my midnight shifts, I had the privilege of working with an incredible RN who one night told me I should pursue nursing. Her words stuck with me, as I had always been curious about the field. In 1983, I enrolled in Deaconess College of Nursing, and by 1986, I had graduated. I continued working the midnight shift at Deaconess, in the Level 2 nursery. After a frightening incident where I fell asleep at the wheel and hit a guardrail, I realized I needed to make a change. That same year, I applied for my Illinois nursing license and kept licensure in both Illinois and Missouri for many years. During my career, I lost a beloved head nurse. She had six close friends serve as honorary pallbearers at her funeral, but I always felt more could have been done to honor her remarkable nursing career. Years later, I had the chance to work alongside Linda George as an election judge. She told me about the Nurse Honor Guard and showed me a short video, and I knew instantly I had found what I had been looking for. It was exactly what should have been done for Tina.