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Show A12 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Wednesday, December 20, 2006 Retirement (Continued from A5) a young mother was brought into the hospital with horrendous injuries. “We couldn’t tell who she was. Nonetheless, we all jumped into action to do all we could to treat the victim until Life Flight arrived to transport her to Provo. When her family arrived at the hospital, we were dumbfounded that we had been treating such a special young woman. No one ever dreamed she would survive her injuries, but she did. I like to think that the skill exhibited by our staff contributed to her survival. “Nurses, doctors, aides, and other personnel came out of the woodwork without having to be called during an emergency earlier this year. Everyone knew something big was happening because of the wail of sirens in the valley. It was amazing how we all came together to help the patients. We worked as one team; everyone knew what had to be done. Although we had never dealt with so many serious injuries at one time, we responded as a well-orchestrated group of professionals.” “It always broke my heart to see young people being brought to the ER who were abusing drugs, or so depressed that they had tried to take their own lives. I just wanted to hug them and tell them that they were loved. That someone cared about them. “Being a nurse has many rewards. You appreciate the skills you have learned when you see a heart attack patient come to the hospital to tell you thanks for all your help, because they might not have made it without your care and quick thinking. “A precious infant who needed neonatal skills upon delivery and is now thriving without monitors, is especially gratifying. “I so appreciate the doctors and their dedication to their profession, and especially their wives who are so patient with us when we have to break into their sleep at night to call their husbands to the hospital.” The staff sometimes had difficulty in understanding Olsen, but she always told them to repeat their questions if they hadn’t understood her. Personnel and patients alike soon called her “the nurse with the accent.” Brenda Bartholomew, director of nursing at Gunnison Valley Hospital, says, “Liisa is someone I have admired for such a long time. Liisa knows her job and was a good example for those with whom she worked. She encouraged others to reach to their full potential. When things got tough, Liisa would take control of a situation and cry later. We are really going to miss her at our facility.” Gunnison Hospital Administrator Greg Rosenvall said, “The hospital has really benefited from Liisa’s many years of service and experience. She is a dedicated nurse who not only affected the lives of her patients in positive ways, but also the members of our staff. We are really going to miss Liisa.” Liisa says, “Leaving my job at the hospital has been a bittersweet experience. It has taken a few days to get used to not racing in the morning to get to work, but I have settled into a more relaxed routine with my husband.” Having only returned to her beloved Finland on one occasion since coming to Gunnison, Liisa hopes to be able to return home to visit with her sister and two brothers who remain in the old country. The Olsens would also like to be able to go on a mission for their church and to serve in the Manti Utah Temple. “I’ve had a wonderful life. There have been struggles, but who hasn’t had their share? I’ve been very blessed with a wonderful family, friends, and a job that have brought me a lot of joy and satisfaction over the years.” KAREN PRISBREY / MESSENGER PHOTO Liisa married and started raising a family in Finland. Here she is shown with her oldest son, Jon. Central Valley Medical Center Central Valley Community Pharmacy Central Valley Home Health, Hospice & Medical Equipment & Supplies Nephi Medical Clinic Fountain Green Medical Clinic A Merry Christmas from us all! KAREN PRISBREY / MESSENGER PHOTO Liisa married Don Olsen of Manti in 1989. |