HaysMed
After an extraordinary 46-year career at HaysMed, Helen Windholz has retired, marking the end of an era of dedicated service in nursing, particularly in hospice/palliative care.
Windholz's last day was celebrated on Jan. 24, surrounded by colleagues, friends and the many people whose lives she has affected.
Born and raised on a farm near St. Peter, Kansas, Windholz's journey in nursing began after graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University in December 1978.
Windholz's career at HaysMed, initially St. Anthony’s Hospital, commenced immediately after, fulfilling a commitment tied to a scholarship she received during her senior year.
Windholz's extensive career covered multiple critical and specialized care roles. She began on the medical floor, swiftly moving to roles in the ICU, where she was part of the Transport Team, and later to the PACU, where she eventually became a supervisor.
In February 2006, Helen transitioned to hospice/palliative care, first as a PRN staff nurse and then in a full-time capacity, profoundly shaping the program with her empathy, skill and leadership.
Windholz's professional achievements are extensive, spanning certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support, active contributions to numerous committees, including the National Hospice/Palliative Care Organization, and the development of educational programs for HaysMed nurses.
Her dedication to community and service is also highlighted by her receipt of several prestigious awards.
In 2020, Windholz was honored with the DAISY Award, a national recognition given to nurses who exhibit exceptional clinical skills and compassionate care.
Additionally, Windholz's exceptional contributions to HaysMed were recognized in 2005 when she received the Sr. Mary J. Mollison Nurse of the Year Award, the highest accolade awarded to a nurse within the organization.
Windholz's personal life is as rich and varied as her professional one. She found love and faced heartbreak with the untimely death of her first husband, John Cline, and later married Neal Windholz, with whom she shares a life farming north of Victoria.
Her deep community ties are evident through her ongoing roles, including her service as a Eucharistic minister at HaysMed for Catholic patients and her active participation in St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Walker.
At Windholz's retirement celebration, colleagues shared stories of her wisdom, the comfort she provided to many patients and their families and her mentorship of younger nurses.