Wednesday, May 5, 2010
With National Nurse's week beginning May 6, it's appropriate to shine a spotlight on one of St. Louis' leading local nurses - Carolynn Ingerson-Hoffman, R.N., founder and president of Medinurse.
Carolynn Ingerson-Hoffman
Ingerson-Hoffman overcame great hurdles to be in the nursing profession. She fought hard to get an education, not letting the lack of money or a hearing loss deter her from her ambition. With perseverance and dedication, she succeeded and is recognized as a long-time leader and contributor in the medical community.
MediNurse marks its 25th anniversary this year. The company employs more than 100 full- and part-time employees who provide a range of services for families, businesses and hospitals. Both Ingerson-Hoffman and her company advocate for the nursing profession and find ways to give back to the community. She frequently supplies speakers to area schools, presents seminars to encourage young people to consider nursing as a career, and mentors many student nurses through the years to share the wealth of her experience.
In addition to caring for people in our community, Ingerson-Hoffman is supportive of soldiers serving our country. Since the beginning of the Iraq war, she sends holiday gifts and cards to members of the armed forces. She hasn’t missed a year yet. Starting in late summer, she purchases and gathers different items to send, and then in November, members of the staffs of MediNurse and MediEquip come to her home to wrap, pack, box, and ship personal items as well as puzzles, games, books and edibles. Each soldier receives two surprise packages. Additionally, she sends each soldier a card with a message from customers. This year, individuals waiting in line for flu shots were asked to write a message after receiving their shot. Almost without exception, they did so.
“For me, success is defined as helping other people,” Ingerson-Hoffman says. “That means doing everything I can to assist people I know, as well as through my company’s commitment to families and businesses."
Ingerson-Hoffman is a member of the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College of Directors. She is a former Board member of the Alzheimer’s Association and is past-President of the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. She was named an Outstanding Alumni and was placed on the College Alumni Honor Roll. Ingerson-Hoffman is a member of The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, and received the President’s Award in 2002 from the Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing.
Comments
cmcduck (anonymous) says...
Carolynn has always found the time no matter what is going on in her life to shop for our soldiers at Christmas and then has a small group from MediNurse and Medi-Equip to her home where we pack, wrap and ship over 100 gift boxes for our troops each Christmas. We have done this since the start of the war and I know Carolynn will continue this till our soldiers are home.
Behind every great person you find someone who has been a major support and partner. In Carolynn's case it is her husband Harlan Hoffman. They are both great role models and great friends.
May 5, 2010 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Quilting45 (anonymous) says...
I attended a class Carolynn taught on death and dying. It was one of the best classes I have ever taken. She is a very compassionate,caring person and a great mentor.
May 5, 2010 at 9 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )