This initiative celebrates team members who embody the hospital’s core values, demonstrate a commitment to excellence, and show outstanding personal and professional growth throughout their careers at Stewart Memorial.

Drees’ connection to Stewart Memorial began at just 17 years old, when she started her health care journey as a certified nursing assistant while still in high school.

“I started my junior year of high school as a CNA at the hospital. My mom works at the hospital as well in the business office and so that’s what kind of got me motivated to work at the hospital and I always knew I wanted to take care of people,” said Drees.

Driven by her early experiences and passion for caring for others, she studied nursing at Iowa Central Community College, earning both her LPN and RN degrees. She credits Stewart Memorial for investing in her future through the Foundation’s scholarships.

“I actually received a scholarship through the hospital that helped pay for my nursing school tuition … and I also received tuition assistance through the hospital through the program for my nurse practitioner as well,” she said.

Her career at Stewart Memorial has spanned multiple departments, including med-surg, ER, OB, and clinic settings. Most recently, she earned her nurse practitioner degree from Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2023.

Drees has also experienced challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but found strength in the teamwork and resilience of her colleagues.

“I would say one of the challenges that we’ve overcome personally in my career as well, it would be the COVID pandemic and just the evolving changes that took place and all the adjustments that we had to make,” she said “That was challenging, but we really worked together and were there for our patients.”