RACINEÂ â When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, Linda Fordâs children told her it was time to fully retire from her nursing job. Ford, who has worked for Ascension since the start of her nursing career 22 years ago, knew that she couldnât quit in the middle of a crisis.
Ford was semi-retired and was only working in the Intensive Care Unit a couple of times a month. But when the pandemic struck, instead of calling it quits, she stepped up to nearly a full-time schedule.
âMy mother is not only an amazing mom to 6 kids but is an incredible nurse,â Fordâs daughter Kate Loomis wrote in her nomination submission. âShe cares for others more than herself and believes everyone deserves the best care possible. That includes family members of her patients. I m always being told by her coworkers and past patients how amazing she is. I simply always reply âI know.ââ