Courtney Brummel was nominated by a co-worker who praised the profound personal and professional impact she has made on her life. “I have been a nurse for over 20 years. I have never worked with a nurse with such a passion for her patient population,” her co-worker said. “I work with Courtney on the days she sees addiction medicine patients in the El Dorado Springs clinic. Courtney is always gaining more education about addiction medicine to increase her knowledge to help serve her patients better. Courtney is one of the strongest patient advocates I have ever met. She spends a lot of time on the phone and networking to get her patients what they need if it is beyond her scope or ability.

Courtney also had a very ill patient near the end of life that she checked on frequently and helped him navigate his medical condition. Courtney admitted that due to choices this patient had made in his life medically and personally, he was likely to die alone as many bridges had been burned due to his struggles with addiction, but Courtney was adamant that no matter what kind of person he had been, he should still have dignity in death and not die alone. I have seen Courtney near tears over many of her patients due to her compassion for their struggles, many of which are of no fault of their own.”

The co-worker also shared how Courtney helped her family. “When I came to the El Dorado clinic, my husband was struggling with alcoholism. I was so grateful to meet Courtney. I nearly cried when I found out what she was doing right in my area. Location had always been a barrier to my husband getting help with his struggles. Courtney shared with me her own story of alcoholism in her family and by the grace of God, I got my husband to agree to see her. He instantly felt comfortable with her due to her ability to listen and treat without judgment. My husband had tried other treatments and groups but none made him as comfortable as Courtney. He has been seeing her for over one year and continues to improve. She has supported us both through his treatment. She is honest without judgment. He told her at his appointment today he would ‘be in a ditch’ without her. She shares with me things that help me support him and cope. I am so blessed she is in both of our lives. I don't think he would have continued treatment with anyone else. Courtney is such an asset to our clinic and my life. I am not sure my marriage would have survived without her care for both of us. She is the epitome of care and compassion.”