Patricia Hilpert
August 2022
Patricia
Hilpert
,
RN
Nursing Administration
Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital
Stevens Point
,
WI
United States

 

 

 

Never was there a time that she did not have a sincere smile and care with any interaction whether it be staff, patient, family, or other. Her generosity and gracious spirit rendered her the name, “Saint Pat!" I marveled (still do) at her effortless ability to attend to the needs of so many, and never weary but display pure joy.
Pat has had a long and distinguished career as a nurse and nursing supervisor at St Michael’s Hospital. She has dedicated her life to the care of others. First as a nurse providing compassionate care to the ill. Secondly as a Role Model, sharing her expertise and demonstrating in all she did the true Science of Nursing, (That being Caring) with countless new RNs like myself. I have never met a more Christ-like individual. Thirdly as a community leader, fundraising for the needy, collecting, and refurbishing toys for children, providing food for the hungry. Fourthly, promotes nursing with a yearly scholarship to a young person seeking training as a CNA. Lastly as a true friend to the dying, those grief losses, those without family, a supporter for those suffering from dementia, and countless other saintly acts.

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Pat was a pm supervisor at a time when I had small children and offered to pick up my Christmas Eve shift so I could be with them. She was cross-trained in several departments, mine being ER. It was always a pleasure to have her come in to help when we were slammed, as she was calm in the midst of chaos. With great respect and love for a fabulous Christian nurse. 

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I had the great privilege and pleasure to work with her on the many occasions she floated into our unit from the Float Pool she was in, and in later years when she took the house RN supervisor position. Never was there a time that she did not have a sincere smile and care with any interaction whether it be staff, patient, family, or other. Her generosity and gracious spirit rendered her the name, “Saint Pat!" I marveled (still do) at her effortless ability to attend to the needs of so many, and never weary but display pure joy. She embodies the Christian life and has been a significant role model for me as well as so many others.

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She worked at St. Michael’s Hospital as a Nursing Supervisor. She is an excellent nurse, both in and outside the hospital. She is in her 80's and still going. Very active in her church missions. Helps with Operation Bootstrap. She organizes volunteers, and donates from her own means. Has been an active volunteer for many years. She helps her neighbors and anyone else in need. She has opened her home to the homeless, provides for them, and seeks community assistance for whatever they need. She takes people for medical care, provides transportation, and follow up care, hands-on. She has been working with an individual with special needs who was incarcerated. Provided clothing, food, household goods, and transportation daily. She has adopted a group of men that stay in a boarding hotel. Has provided clothing, food, and personal care items out of her own pocket. Set up volunteers to help provide special meals for the holidays for them. Gives them gifts of everyday items to maintain A.D.L.'s. I have never seen anyone so busy all the time to help other people out. She is a stopping place where people drop off toys, and other household supplies. She washes and sews the toys. Makes clothes for them. She has provided thousands of toys and books to be distributed amongst our community and outside our location home and abroad. She is very humble and gracious. Someone to look up to as a role model in life. I am sure she is involved in more than this but keeps it close to her heart. Another Mother Theresa. We hold her in high esteem.

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Pat Hilpert worked for many years at St Michael’s Hospital in many positions. She was a staff nurse, who evolved into a “float nurse”, then worked as a “House Supervisor”, among many other roles throughout her tenure. Most often in her later years of employment, Pat worked alongside many new staff— nurses, nursing assistants, and other department staff alike. Always focusing on the patient and what was best for each person. In retirement, Pat continued to seek opportunities to reach out to others. She worked with the BABES Program in elementary schools. She helped many people who were down and out on their luck. Not only helping that individual but recognizing the community around that person. She would find a way to help them as well, most often in feeding and/or clothing offerings. This led to many years of volunteering at Operation Bootstrap. Here she could give to others from what others gave to Bootstrap. A wonderful fit. Another wonderful fit is Pat’s continued connection with the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother. She is a Lay Associate of the Sisters. This connects prayer life and service to others as she connects more globally with the mission of the Sisters. There was always the desire to have her St. Michael’s community, be family. Pat wanted to stay in touch with other retirees. We were family at work, why not in retirement?! So she gathered a group of nurses and began meeting at various restaurants around town for lunch. This group is named “CHEERS”. Having shut down during COVID, it has resumed recently. A phone call & email network shares date, time, & location each month. Such an accepting group. Out of “CHEERS” evolved the Pat Hilpert Annual Picnic! Here we are today, enjoying the last of its kind as Pat is “retiring”, once again, from another ministry. She is a good soul whom I am blessed to call my friend.

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Pat was the night supervisor at St. Michael's when I started in 1997. She was one of the first people I saw every morning at 0430. Pat was always smiling and gracious. She made me feel like a part of the St. Michael's team. Pat was/is an inspiration. Thanks, Pat, for being you.

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I began working at St. Michael's Hospital as an RN in 1976. One of the first RNs I met was Pat Hilpert. She was friendly, warm, and welcoming. I was drawn to her and it did not take long to realize I wanted to be like her. She has been my role model for 36+ years and I tried hard to emulate her. Pat is the epitome of what I always thought a nurse should be. She was not only a warm, compassionate, and capable RN, she was a team player in every sense of the word. I cannot think of anyone else more deserving of The DAISY Award. I feel honored to have been able to work with Pat and call her a true friend.

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I had the privilege of working with Pat Hilpert throughout my 35+ years working at St. Michael’s hospital. Pat was always the go-to person to get an intravenous line in a patient others couldn’t, the nurse you would call to help calm an agitated or confused patient, the coordinator who would somehow figure out an impossible staffing issue, or the colleague who was always available to support you in any situation. Many generations of nurses were influenced by Pat Hilpert’s exemplary nursing skills during her career as a nurse and in her generous commitment to the community of Stevens Point. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.