ER Nurse of the Year Calls Utah Valley Her Second Home

“I like the excitement, the adrenaline, and always having something different to do,” said Lundquist. “Sometimes there’s nothing to do, and other times you have to do eight things at once. Being an ER nurse requires critical thinking and you have to think on your feet.”

It’s no wonder this dedicated caregiver is this year’s recipient of the Utah State “ER Nurse of the Year Award.” Dan Camp, a former EMT who took his first emergency medicine class from Lundquist more than 30 years ago, nominated her for the award.

“I know she’s probably swamped with Utah Valley, yet she still finds time to do a lot of great work with EMS,” said Camp. “That’s the reason why I nominated her.”

After taking Lundquist’s EMT class, Camp went on to work as an EMT for the next 24 years. He now works in the professional development department at the Utah State Bureau of EMS. Over the years, the two have kept in contact and they work together on EMS assignments.

The award was given to Lundquist to honor her lengthy service in Utah Valley’s ED, her work with EMS, and her effort teaching trauma classes and lectures. Since starting her nursing career, Lundquist has worked in the ED in a variety of positions, including her current role as Trauma Services manager. She also serves on the state EMS Rules Task Force and as the secretary for the Utah County EMS Council.

For Lundquist, the most rewarding part of her work in the ED is the opportunity to see people in critical condition get better. She remembers a man who was admitted to the ED for a serious head injury. As his condition worsened, she had to tell his pregnant wife that he may not live. Lundquist lost touch with him during his stay at the hospital, but she ran into him five or six years later. The man had fully recovered, gone to law school, and become a lawyer. “To see that you made a difference in people’s lives is rewarding,” Lundquist said.