DES MOINES, Iowa — Three Iowa women are being recognized for outstanding service and leadership at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.
Each year, the Iowa Emergency Nurses Association honors nurses across the state at their annual conference.
Leashe Trease, Sharee Brickman and Amber Wilson all work in the ER at MercyOne. Each received an award for making significant contributions to their departments and providing exceptional care to patients and their families.
"We all want to be ER. nurses, and we all came into this with eyes wide open, knowing what we were going to potentially see ... that's what we're here to do," Trease told Local 5.
Amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trease took on the role of Emergency Department Nursing Director.
She was honored with the Emergency Nursing Leadership Award. The past few years have particularly difficult for nurses, but serving Iowans in this way keeps her motivated.
"It's just one of those things that you don't really feel like you're deserving," Trease said. "There's always more to do and there's always a lot to be done, and to show support."
Fellow MercyOne nurse Sharee Brickman received the Emergency Nursing Frontline Staff Award for providing exceptional care to patients, while supporting other nurses in the department.
"I get asked a lot by the staff when they're having rough days, 'Why do you come back every day?,'" Brickman said. "I always say, 'Well, I do it for you guys.'"
As the emergency department supervisor, Brickman added that she feels privileged to work in a role that combines leadership and patient care.
Amber Wilson's story is unique. She works as a registered nurse at MercyOne, but also as a paramedic for Dallas County EMS.
Wilson received the EMS award for promoting collaboration with emergency room nurses at the hospital.
"As nurses, we are a huge comfort to our patients and their families. But we also do a lot of comforting and education to families on the scene as well," she told Local 5.
All three women were nominated for their awards by a co-worker or employee at MercyOne, which they say is both humbling and special.