Cincinnati Nurses
|
NORAH BERTSCHYPresident
I think I always wanted to be a nurse – I started as a candy striper in junior high school and joined Future Nurses Club in high school. I did conquer my concerns about blood while working as a nursing assistant in a community hospital my senior year in high school! Our assistant pastor said I was blessed to know what I wanted to be – he was soooooo right. I’ve never regretted a day of nursing, of course there have been difficult times but I have NEVER wished I was anything else! My initial nursing education was at a wonderful 3-year diploma program – a 1972 graduate of Idabelle Firestone School of Nursing in Akron, OH. Upon graduation, I served 2 years active duty in the Navy at Philadelphia Naval Hospital. Returning to Ohio in 1974 I worked in a community hospital spending 13 years between Med-Surg, Pediatrics, OB, infection control, staff development and employee health – oh, the versatility of nursing! Along the way I completed my BSN – thanks to the GI bill. And then in 1995 I completed an MSN in Child and Adolescent Primary Care and became a PNP. Both degrees were earned at the University of Akron. Our family moved to Cincinnati in 1998, to enable me to work as a PNP providing care to underserved students in school – based public health programs at the City of Cincinnati Health Department (1998-2002). I eventually returned to the Health Dept. in 2013 living the dream of providing primary care in a full-fledged School Based Health Clinic. In between those 2 health department periods, I worked for Queen City Pediatrics for 9 years in their westside location on Glenway Avenue. I retired from full-time employment in 2018, part time consulting for Xavier University and Health Dept ending in 2019. In the fall of 2019, I became the Faith Community /Parish Nurse at my church – Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Healthy. I have the personal and professional satisfaction of coming along side members during times of need, also providing health education, advocacy, systems navigation, and resources. I re-affiliated with the Navy Reserve in 1989 and retired with 24 years of service in 2011. I did see the world – joining military medical teams in Thailand, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Gabon-Africa, and in 2010 on the USNS Comfort providing care to earthquake victims from Haiti. A life lesson of traveling the world; we citizens of this planet are much more alike than we are different! I am honored to be a member of the Cincinnati Nurses Honor Guard since 2021 and President since 2023. It is a privilege to serve such dedicated folks! My husband and I celebrated 52 years of marriage in 2024. We are blessed with 2 daughters, 1 son,1 son-in-love and 3 nearly grown grandsons. | 
PHIRIN KENNEDYVice President Ms. Kennedy is humbled to be serving as Vice President of the Cincinnati Nurses Honor Guard, having been recruited by our founder, Brenda Heile, with whom she attends church. She is also our Service Coordinator. She received her RN in 2004 working as a surgical step down nurse at Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center (CVAMC), then transitioned to the surgical ICU, and then in 2012, having received her NP licensure, she took on the role of the General Surgery NP. In 2015, she left the VA and worked as a GI/Hepatology NP at Bethesda North Hospital. But by 2022, she heeded the calling to return to the CVAMC, where she is the Vascular Surgery nurse practitioner. She feels there is no more noble a profession than that of serving our veterans for the sacrifices they have borne. Her other roles include being mom to 3 kids, and “grandma” to 6 chickens, 8 new chickies, and a bunny named Oreo. In her free time, she loves to read and garden. She serves on her church’s ministry team with women’s fellowship and engagement ministries. She also enjoys volunteering as assistant Volleyball coach for her daughters’ school. 
BARB BECKERMembership Director Barb Becker, RN, serves as the Membership Director of the Cincinnati Nurses Honor Guard. A graduate of the Christ Hospital School of Nursing, Barb has dedicated 48 years to the nursing profession. Her extensive career includes experience in Med-Surg nursing, working alongside an Oral Surgeon in his office, Same Day Surgery, Pre-Admission Testing, Discharge Planning for Home Health, and Staff Development in both Home Health and Long-Term Care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also served as an Infection Preventionist in Long-Term Care, playing a crucial role in safeguarding residents and staff. With a lifelong passion for nursing and a deep respect for those who have served in the profession, Barb plays a vital role in ensuring that the Nurses Honor Guard continues its mission of paying tribute to nurses for their years of dedication and compassion. Beyond her dedication to nursing, Barb finds her greatest joy in her family. She has been married to her best friend Steve for 47 years. She is blessed with three sons, three beautiful daughters-in-loves, and ten amazing grandchildren who light up her life. |
JUDI SCHOFIELDSecretary
My name is Judi Schofield and I am the current secretary of the CNHG. I attended nursing school as an adult after my husband passed away. I have been a nurse for over 40 years; first as an LPN then an RN. Most of my years I worked for Christ Hospital in the cardiac stepdown unit as a nurse and then a manager. I retired as the Director of Nursing Quality in 2019 and applied to be in the Honor Guard after I attended a funeral that had a beautiful tribute. It is an honor to serve in this role for the Cincinnati Nurse Honor Guard. \
Donna LaakeTreasurer Donna Laake, RN is a highly respected and experienced Registered Nurse with over 50 years of service in the nursing profession. A graduate of Northern Kentucky University, Donna has worked across multiple specialties, including Medical-Surgical, Coronary Care, OB/GYN, and pediatric trauma. She served as a Health Commissioner for 16 years and contributed her expertise to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Trauma Services. A passionate advocate for child safety, Donna has been a lead instructor with the National Child Passenger Safety Program for over 25 years, actively mentoring new technicians and conducting car seat checks in the community. In addition to her clinical and public health work, she currently serves as Treasurer of the Cincinnati Nurses Honor Guard, honoring the legacy and dedication of fellow nurses. Donna’s career is marked by a deep commitment to patient care, public health, education, and professional service—a true embodiment of lifelong nursing excellence. 
Melynda DayMember at Large Melynda is a dedicated Hospice LPN, Reiki Master, and proud 2010 graduate of Brown Mackie College. With a passion for compassionate end-of-life care, Melynda brings both clinical expertise and holistic healing to those in need. As a member of the Cincinnati Nurses Honor Guard, she is committed to honoring the service and legacy of fellow nurses, ensuring their contributions are recognized with dignity and respect. Through her work in hospice and energy healing, Melynda continues to uplift and support individuals and families during life’s most sacred transitions. 
Kathy OverbeckMember at Large Kathy graduated from St. Rita’s School of Nursing in Lima, Ohio in 1965. Came to Cincinnati with three friends and started working at Christ Hospital, until 1973. Worked at Good Samaritan from 1975-1979. Started at Mercy in 1980 as floor nurse. She is still working at Mercy in Outpatient Infusion. She has four children and seven grandchildren. 
LU ANN REEDMember at Large
Dr. Lu Ann Reed is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Cincinnati, where she has served since 2013. She earned an Associate of Science in Nursing from Raymond Walters General and Technical College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati, both with a focus on acute care nursing. Dr. Reed further advanced her academic preparation with a Graduate Certificate in Nurse Education and completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a focus on Nursing Administration at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Reed maintains active professional licensure as a Registered Nurse and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in the state of Ohio. She holds numerous national certifications, including Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), Certified Gerontology Nurse (Gero-BC), Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN), Certified Wound Care Nurse (WCC), Certified Diabetic Wound Care Nurse (DWC), and Certified Geriatric Care Professional. She is also a Certified Apple Teacher, reflecting her commitment to innovative educational practices. Her academic career includes extensive teaching and curriculum development in nursing education, complemented by adjunct faculty service at Fortis College of Nursing. Clinically, Dr. Reed has held significant leadership and administrative roles across acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care, rehabilitation, and wound care programs. Her professional experience includes serving as Wound Program Director and Administrator at the Drake Center, RN Wound Care Specialist at Mercy Health–Jewish Hospital, and administrative and nursing leadership roles at Deaconess Hospital, Camargo Manor/The Pavilion, St. Luke Hospital, and Maple Knoll Village. Earlier in her career, she practiced as a staff nurse in rehabilitation and medical-surgical settings at The Christ Hospital. p>< Dr. Reed is actively engaged in scholarly and professional service. She has contributed as a textbook reviewer and author, with published work in foundational nursing textbooks focusing on skin integrity and wound healing. She holds leadership roles in several professional organizations, including serving as President of the Greater Cincinnati Wound Nurses Association and as a board member of the Kentucky League of Nursing and the International Alliance for Wound Care Scholarship Foundation. She is also an appointed member of the Ohio Person Centered Care Coalition Board of Directors and the NLN Alliance Committee and is a long-standing member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. 
Brenda HeileFounder/Tribute Coordinator “The Best Years” … If anyone had said that during my career, I would’ve LOL’d! But as busy parents and nurses, we’re livin’ the dream, right? And as a new LPN in 1972, I was clueless. But the reality of life, death, illness, injury— and the screaming need for nurses hit me hard. For 47 years, I was privileged to care for people in Med-Surg, Critical & Cardiac ICU, Burns Special Care, Long-Term Care, an MD Office, Home Health and Hospice. No favorites, I truly loved ‘em all. I later returned to college, earning my BSN in 2001. For many of us, retirement seems like a far-off planet. But after two years, I had had it! Browsing the internet, I read something about a Nurses’ Honor Guard, Our national leader, Julia Godby-Murray was very excited. “We want to start one in Cincinnati… how about it?” “Umm, no! NO thank you.” I replied (our first meeting soon followed, four nurses strong). I’ll never forget our first tribute— the honored nurse was an old friend. But the real shocker was her grieving family. So heart-wrenching to stand in front all that pain and loss. Many tributes later, I believe every family is comforted a bit by our presence and our words. I can’t believe our humble little group has grown to nearly 100 members now! And we don’t need to explain ourselves anymore, Funeral Directors now contact us when a nurse passes. I want to thank all of YOU for joining our group and giving even more of yourselves. You’ll always be a blessing to someone, even during sorrow and loss. | 
Marla HoskinsMember at Large Marla graduated from Cincinnati State in 2015 with her associate's degree and LPN license. She comes from a family line of nursing, following in the footsteps of both grandmothers and two of her aunts. She became a member of the Cincinnati Nurse Honor Guard in 2021 to honor and respect her fallen nurse colleagues. Her nursing experience started at Good Samaritan Hospital as PCA, providing bedside care to mothers and their newborns while attending nursing school. She continued to work at TriHealth after graduating school. She then advanced to work for The University of Cincinnati, working in the infectious disease unit, providing care to patients with HIV/Hepatitis while treating patients also with drug addiction. Afterwards, she continued her career at Cincinnati VA, providing care in women’s health department serving our veterans. . Her nursing path took a personal turn where she provided end-of-life care for her mother, and then shortly after, her aunt Nancy, who was also a member of CHNG. Marla is a devoted wife of 32 years to Steve, and a loving mother to two sons, Tyler and Kyle, and loyal to her family and friends. She enjoys the outdoors and nature. Her hobbies include bird watching, vacation trips to the beach and mountains, and taking care of their home. She enjoys the open road riding her own Harley Davidson motorcycle with her husband and friends. She also enjoys quiet times on the porch reading spiritual devotionals. Her favorite quote written by Maya Angelou, “As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of our patients, their families, and ourselves. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” 
Amy DanielsPublicity/Tribute Coordinator My name is Amy Daniels RN, BSN OCN. I am the Community Liaison and one of the tribute Coordinators for the Cincinnati Nurses Honor Guard. I am a lifelong Cincinnati resident who grew up on the Eastside. I have been a nurse since 2013. My specialty is oncology and I work at the UC Barrett Cancer Center. I’m married with 3 fur babies Waylon, Willie and Joe Welsh. Being a part of the CNHG is a true honor. I believe wholeheartedly that “our tribe” as I like to call us deserves this. I have met some great gals in this group ... hoping some guys would like to join. It’s a small sacrifice for a greater reward. Look forward to serving with you 
Kim KunkelTribute Coordinator Kim Kunkel, BSN, RN, CCM, CHPPN is a dedicated and compassionate nurse with an impressive career spanning numerous specialties in healthcare. She serves as a Tribute Coordinator for the Cincinnati Nurses Honor Guard, honoring the profound contributions of nurses within her community. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, having graduated from both Raymond Walters College and Ohio University. Beyond her professional achievements, Kim treasures her role as a wife, mother to two daughters and one son, and proud Nana to five grandchildren. Her family forms the heart of her world, bringing her immense joy and purpose. Kim also extends her care and kindness to the animal community, serving as a guardian home with 4 Paws for Ability, a nonprofit organization dedicated to training service dogs for individuals with disabilities. 
Beth DornLiving Tribute Coordinator A proud native of southwest Ohio, Beth earned both her associate and bachelor’s nursing degrees from Miami University. She launched her career at Middletown Regional Hospital, spending three years in the “float” department before transitioning to end-of-life care at Hospice of Middletown in 1985. It was during her time at Hospice that Beth discovered her deep passion for supporting patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team in providing comfort during the final stages of life. While raising three active sons, Beth explored various roles in home care and hospice but ultimately found her calling in marketing and sales. While living in Ohio, Florida and New Jersey, she dedicated herself to educating both the public and professionals about palliative care, continuing in this role until her retirement in 2024. Now, Beth’s focus has shifted to racing in triathlons, traveling, and enjoying time with her three grandsons. Although she didn’t have a daughter by birth, she cherishes her wonderful daughters-in-law. |