Dixie Regional Medical Center's Mady Howard, ICU Nurse, a True American Ninja Warrior

Intermountain Dixie Regional Medical Center is proud to congratulate intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, Mady Howard, on her great run on the American Ninja Warrior Course. Howard competed in the Seattle/Tacoma City Finals that aired on August 5 and now advances to the national finals in Las Vegas.

Howard has worked at Dixie Regional for two years. She enjoys working with, and serving, the patients that come into the ICU each day.

“I love working in intensive care,” Howard said. “It can seem intimidating at first, but I love that I have two patients and can get to know them really well and get a full picture on them. I just like being able to take care of them and their families and have a more personal connection.”

After finishing up a Division I gymnastics career at Southern Utah University, Howard began looking for something that would keep her active. Besides competing on American Ninja Warrior, Howard competes in the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association.

She has competed in local, regional, and world events and recently placed first in the female amateur division in world competition against athletes from the United States, Canada, and Australia. Howard credits the experiences she has had as an ICU nurse that have helped prepare her for the ninja course.

“Being an ICU nurse has moments of intensity and moments when you need to make split-second decisions. I feel like being able to stay in the moment in both situations really helps. Taking the time when you’re in high pressure situations before you start so you know that you’re making the right decisions,” Howard said. “Another thing that has helped me is being prepared knowing that I have the knowledge that I need as an ICU nurse and I have the team behind me to help take care of my patients. That translates to the course because I know that I have put in the training mentally and physically so I can perform well.”

Howard is grateful for the challenge that Ninja Warrior presents. It has given her opportunities to apply her ICU skills in other ways and chances to achieve her goals.

“Working in the ICU, I have seen how fragile life is and how things can change in a split second,” Howard said. “If anything, that has helped motivate me to chase dreams and live life to the fullest. I want to take advantage of all those moments because you never know what could happen.”

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