Nurse to be honored
A Colusa County native will leave for Washington D.C., on Sunday to accept a prestigious nursing award at the 2010 Nurse Leaders in Native Care Conference.
Brenda Calvin Wright, LVN clinical manager for Chapa-De Indian Health Program in Woodland, will be recognized for outstanding and commendable nursing achievements.
Wright, who is Native American and member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, has been a licensed vocational nurse for only four years, having pursued the career after her husband, Larry Wright, was killed in a truck accident four years ago.
Wright, a grandmother to two, said she was shocked when she learned she was to receive the award, and is looking forward to visiting the nation's capital.
"I'm so honored," she said. "I'm just a Colusa girl that doesn't get a chance to get away very often."
Wright, who resides in Williams, is the daughter of Larry and Kay Calvin, of Colusa. She graduated from Colusa High School in 1977, and earned studied for her LVN at Western Career College.
She has worked for Chapa-De for five years, starting as a receptionist.
"I've always loved the medical field and I love patient care," Wright said.
Wright was nominated to the National Nurse Leadership Council by her supervisor, Beth Tyner, for her excellence in nursing skills and compassionate care of patients.
In her nomination, Tyner said Wright has improved the lives and attitudes of many patients - taking the time with all patients in explaining sensitive procedures and the importance in keeping their personal care the focus of their lives.
"You will not be in the clinic long before a patient cornes to you stating that Brenda is the most efficient and caring nurse they have ever had," noted Tyner. "Our patients love coming to the clinic just to visit with her and tell her how much they appreciate her caring for them or a family member."
Wright is the only California Indian Health Care nurse to receive the award.
Other award recipients, among hundreds of nominations, include a clinical nurse with the Winslow Indian Health Center in Arizona, and five others in nursing fields in South Dakota, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Chapa-De's programs serve about 4,600 patients in Auburn, Woodland and Grass Valley, many of whom are Native American.
"All our patients are like family to me," Wright said. "Not just Native Americans, but those from all communities."
The Nurse Leaders in Native Care Conference is sponsored by the Indian Health Service Division of Nursing, the Indian Health Service National Nurse Leadership Council, and the Arizona Nurses Association.
"I always see smiles on all the patients' faces after nurse Brenda has touched their lives," said Tyner. "She makes our clinic a wonderful, enjoyable place to come."
Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.
