Four NE Wisconsin nurses earn Nurse of the Year award

Rich Palzewic

Staff

July 15, 2024

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – Four Northeastern Wisconsin nurses – Linda Casanova-Pearson, Michelle Virtues, Tara Gruenloh and Ana (Diana) Woodke – were recently recognized as Hospitals Sisters Health Systems (HSHS) Nurses of the Year in their respective regions.

According to HSHS, Nurse of the Year award recipients are honored for demonstrating passion, quality and excellence in nursing and carrying out the core values of HSHS: respect, care, competence and joy.

They are nominated by nursing colleagues and chosen by nursing leadership and the hospitals’ Professional Nurse Practice Council.

Casanova-Pearson (Green Bay), Virtues (Green Bay), Gruenloh (Sheboygan) and Woodke (Oconto Falls) were selected from a pool of hundreds of nominations statewide.

Michelle Virtues

Michelle Virtues is a registered nurse in the Medical Short Stay Unit at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay.

Virtues – who grew up in Oconto Falls – said she first thought about pursuing a career in nursing when she was in high school.

“They used to do college entrance surveys, and my results were obvious – health care,” she said. “Growing up, I always took care of everyone who had boo-boos and took care of my brother when I was young.”

However, at first, Virtues said she started as a communications major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

“That led to a dead end and me asking myself, ‘why am I not following my calling when I knew the results of the high school survey?’” she said.

Though the survey results showed health care was the track she was meant to be on, Virtues said that wasn’t the biggest reason she eventually went in that direction.

“My father got ill when I was in college – that directed me into nursing and caring for people,” she said. “I eventually received my nursing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. I grew up in a family of mostly teachers, which goes hand-in-hand with nursing – teaching patients and families how to care for themselves.”

Virtues said at the time, she was the first person in her family to enter the healthcare profession, “but since then, we’ve had several generations who are now following in those footsteps.”

As for the award, Virtues said, “it’s wonderful to be recognized by my colleagues.”

“It’s an honor to be chosen individually because nursing is a team profession, and I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am without my colleagues around me,” she said. “Having been at St. Mary’s for so many years, my colleagues are like my second family. It’s easier to fulfill an exceptional career when you have people helping you.”

Virtues said she was presented with the award while working.

“I had my peers around me from every department, as well as our leadership team,”
she said. “I walked out of my patient room, and there they were. Most of the award is for excelling in patient care and best practice, but along with that, I’ve been in leadership roles for quite a while, so I’ve been involved at the hospital. When you’re involved in different groups, it makes you realize the care you give is for all the right reasons.”

Every patient and family she encounters, Virtues said, becomes a new relationship for her.

“I am passionate about learning about each of them personally,” she said. “I care for all my patients as I would want to be treated.”

Tara Gruenloh

Registered Nurse Tara Gruenloh works in the Women and Infants Center at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan – a role she has held since 2006.

“I’m humbled to receive this award,” Gruenloh said. “I am passionate about treating every mother and baby with dignity and respect, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs or circumstances. I take pride in maintaining a calm and compassionate demeanor, even in challenging and high-stress situations.”

In her mind, Gruenloh said she believes she was selected for the award because of her “consistency and love for the job.”

“It was simply another ordinary day (when I found out),” she said. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years, so I’d say because of my long-term commitment to the hospital, (my employer) nominated me – it’s a great honor.”

Born and raised in Sheboygan, Gruenloh said her husband’s job – “he works for Kohler” – took the couple to South Carolina for three years where she worked before relocating back to Wisconsin.

“The Sheboygan area is home to me, so I was happy to be back,” she said. “It’s where all my family is.”

Gruenloh said her strengths and personality ‘“led me to a career in health care.”

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduate said she’s the only one in her family involved in the industry.

“A lot of my family has gone into the business side of things, but I can’t imagine not being in health care,” she said. “Knowing my personality, my job is the perfect fit for me. In high school, had you asked me what college looked like for me, this was it.”

Ana (Diana) Woodke

Ana Woodke works as a registered nurse in the emergency department at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.

Woodke said she’s been at St. Clare for almost 15 years.

“I was originally a CNA (certified nurses aide) there when I was in school,” she said. “I moved into different roles over the years. I’ve been in the ER department for the past eight years. St. Clare is like a big family, and I work with the best colleagues – we take care of each other. It’s a special place to work.”

Woodke said she was very excited about receiving the award.

“I was also surprised,” she said. “It’s a great honor for me regarding the community as well – I work here and live here. When I go to the store, people congratulate me. There was cake, flowers and my face on a big PowerPoint (at the award ceremony). My family was there, and management did a great job with things – it was greatly appreciated.”

Woodke said she’s always been one to get involved – which is likely part of why she was selected for the award.

“I’ve always been involved – even when going to school – in a lot of things, whether that be sports or other organizations,” she said. “We have things at St. Clare to be a part of (regarding nursing), and I represent all of those things – (just) like when I was younger. When you go that extra mile and do extra things making you well-rounded, it’s a good fit for the award.”

Woodke said she knew at an early age that she was meant to pursue a career in health care when her grandma got Parkinson’s Disease.

“She was hospitalized quite a bit, and from that, I experienced the nurses, doctors and the whole healthcare organization,” she said. “I admired all the people who were caring for her – that’s what I wanted to do.”

Born and raised in Gillett, Woodke said she was “for sure a trendsetter” with her decision to pursue a career in nursing.

“My brother and sister want nothing to do with that kind of stuff,” she laughed. “The blood and guts – they’re out. My mom works at the post office, and my dad works at a paper mill – they’re hard-working people.”

Woodke, a Bellin College of Nursing graduate, said she’s proud to help patients and their families remain comfortable and serve as an advocate for their health.

“I am always prepared to provide emotional support, a listening ear, a comforting hand or a warm blanket to each of my patients,” she said.

Linda Casanova-Pearson

Linda Casanova-Pearson is a registered nurse in the Critical Care Unit at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

Casanova-Pearson said, for her, nursing is “a way of life.”

“Helping my patients and their families at critical times in their lives brings me joy and satisfaction,” she said. “I am fortunate to have the coworkers I do because they feel like my family.”