Schwieger named St. Francis Caring Kind Award recipient

Kellee Schwieger was named the 2025 Caring Kind Award recipient at CHI Health St. Francis earlier today. Recipients of this prestigious award have gone above and beyond the call of duty to demonstrate compassion for patients, cooperation with co-workers and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities. Schwieger, a registered nurse in surgical services, has been employed at St. Francis for more than 40 years.

Annually, one employee is selected from staff nominations to represent St. Francis at the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) Annual Convention. NHA has paid tribute to more than 2,000 of Nebraska’s most caring and dedicated health care workers since 1979 at the event.

The following are excerpts are from Schwieger nominations:

• A Grand Island native, Kellee has spent her entire career at St. Francis, spanning 4 decades of continuous service to the hospital. Kellee is an exemplary nurse. She is always willing to mentor new employees and advocate for patients. She is fastidious about safety and always willing to pitch in and help different departments. Kellee is the quintessential example of a Caring Kind nurse–dedicated, smart, devoted, and an advocate for patients. She more than deserves this award for her service to St. Francis and the community of Grand Island.

• Kellee goes the extra mile to make sure her patients and their families feel safe and cared for. From the littlest of pediatric patients to the oldest of seniors, she meets their needs and makes them feel safe. Kellee is the best there is and gives her best every day to make St. Francis the best!

• Caring and kind are the two most often used adjectives to describe Kellee Schwieger. She exemplifies these qualities in every interaction she has with people throughout her day. Whether she is bringing a scared child to the OR, updating an anxious family, performing CPR on a coding patient, or just walking down to lunch, she always displays these attributes. Kellee’s warm smile, infectious laugh, and big heart make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in her presence. She is the face of Caring and Kindness here at St. Francis.

Other St. Francis 2025 Caring Kind Award nominees included:

• Miranda Brabec - Maternity

• Sheena Bredhauer DeBoer - Intensive Care

• Cynthia Brunzell - Case Management

• Karrie Campbell - CHI Health Clinic Women’s Health

• Jeff Hanke - Maintenance

• Mikenzie Harmon - Radiology

• Breanna Jiminez - CHI Health Clinic

• Rebecca Kinne - Progressive Caret

• Debra Lehl - Radiology

• Danielle Lingeman - Nutritional Services

• Paola Lopez - Progressive Care

• Monica McDonald - Radiation Oncology

• Seth McLamb - Progressive Care

• Nicole Morris - Physical Therapy

• Tawny Slizoski - Progressive Care

• Molly Swartwood - CHI Health Clinic

• Fallon Switzer - Emergency

• Rhonda Richter- CHI Health Clinic

For more information about The Caring Kind Awards, visit: www.nebraskahospitals.org/education/the-caring-kind-awards.html