We Honored Five More 'Healthcare Heroes' This Week! (5/25

Another week has gone by, which means we are saluting another group of healthcare heroes!

Each weekday morning at 6:45 a.m., we honor an amazing local healthcare worker with our 'Healthcare Hero of the Day' award, courtesy of our friends at Billion Honda of Iowa City. We selected five more of your nominations to be honored this week. Here are those 'Healthcare Heroes:'

5/25
- Sarina Martini, OBGYN doctor at UIHC North Dodge Clinic
- Nominated by Amber Baldridge
- "Sarina has been our rock! We are all working together to walk through these muddy waters and she has our back! She is so genuine and caring. She wants to keep us all safe and is working on doing what she can to make us feel heard during this trying time. Although healthcare is a bit of a crazy place to work, it helps so much to have her as our foundation! Thank you for everything, Dr. Martini!"
5/26
- Alyssa King, LPN at Oaknoll Retirement Community in Iowa City
- Nominated by Doug King
- "Alyssa is such a thoughtful and caring nurse. The residents trust her and depend on her for a good laugh and care. She goes above and beyond for them. For example, if they really like or want something, she will try to get it for them. One of them loves Jaarsma Bakery in Pella, so when she was given an almond blanket (his favorite), she took part of it to him. One of her residents knew that her cow had a calf and told Alyssa she should name it her name, so she did! They dress up for the residents and have fun planned all the time. She is going to school to become an RN while working weekends at her favorite job. She has put in so many hours to get this far and has just a few more to go. Proud of you, Alyssa!"

Doug King

5/27
- Michelle Thompson, employee at St. Luke’s Hospital
- Nominated by Amanda Gibbs
- "Michelle has been a healthcare provider for 20+ years. She goes above and beyond for everyone she comes into contact with. She’s very friendly and cares for everyone around her, and then some! She’s a role model for everyone to look up to."
5/28
- Deanna Fillenworth
- Nominated by Javier Diego
- "Deanna is an RN that volunteered to work on the COVID Floor at St Luke’s in Cedar Rapids after her normal workplace shifted away from surgeries. She did so selflessly because that is what she does. She has a calling to help people and she is also a great mother of two active boys. She hardly bats an eye and her quick wit makes the whole room a different place. She lights it up with her smile, humor, and beautiful eyes."
5/29
- Lori Simpson, RN/BSN in the ICU/MICU St. Luke's Hospital
- Nominated by Deb Simpson
- "Lori has been a critical care nurse at St. Luke's for over 35 years serving in CCU and now ICU/MICU since she graduated from Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing in 1985. She has worked tirelessly throughout this entire crisis to ensure the health and safety of patients and staff. Before the first case had even appeared in Iowa, she assisted in setting up the isolation ward to make it safer for her fellow nurses. She worked with the St. Luke's maintenance department to design a medication pass-thru so nurses would not have to come out of the isolation area to receive medications, therefore saving valuable PPE. She loves working with patients but is always willing to step up and be the charge nurse when needed. Her years of experience have made her a resource for all of the younger nurses and a go-to for problem-solving. I want to commend her and all of her fellow nurses for putting their lives on the line to save others and thank all of the businesses and individuals who have provided flowers, snacks, and meals for these hardworking and often under-appreciated nurses during this tough time."