Local caregiver recognized for compassion, commitment

Who are the "others?" They are those she serves as a nurse at WPMC; they are her family members for whom she is caregiver, including a brother with cerebral palsy; and they are several shut-ins to whom she brings Communion.

McElgunn was born in Dodge City to a nurse and "carman" for the railroad, and quickly grew to understand the tremendous worth of those who wear their hearts on their sleeves. Her brother, who lives with McElgunn in her Dodge City apartment, and her sister, both contracted polio, and it would be McElgunn who would become her brother’s primary caregiver. She also helped care for a second brother who has since died of cancer.

After completing her education, McElgunn began her nursing career at St. Anthony Hospital in Dodge City, where she worked until it closed in 1971. She then moved to Pratt where she was employed at Pratt Community Hospital as a medical/surgical nurse.

Family concerns would quickly bring McElgunn back home to Dodge. Just months after moving to Pratt, she returned home to help her mother care for McElgunn’s sister, who was confined to a wheelchair, and a grandmother, who was in her 90s.

McElgunn soon began what has become a 33-year career with Trinity Hospital, the forerunner to Western Plains Medical Center. Besides caring for her brother, McElgunn was caregiver to her uncle, and even, for a short time, to an elderly neighbor.

As if that weren’t enough, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner also serves Communion to several shut-ins every other month, switching off with fellow Eucharistic Minister Evelyn Kuhlman. She serves as a volunteer with health booths, provides diabetic screening for WPMC’s Senior Friends when needed, and is a member of the Advance Directives Performance Improvement Team and the APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control).

She works at the hospital as "an infection control coordinator and quality assurance assistant," a job that, for health reasons, took her away from the nurse-to-patient caregiving that she loved, but still allows her to put in time with the hospital’s patients.

While her co-workers view her extra efforts as going above and beyond the call of duty, McElgunn considers it all a part of her job.

"I like what I’m doing," she said, "and I’m very proud that I was nominated for the award and won."

According to Steven Daniel, WPMC’s chief executive officer, the Mercy Award is presented annually in memory of Scott L. Mercy, who was the first CEO of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., the parent company of WPMC. Mercy, 38, was killed in 2000 in a plane crash, and the award was quickly established to honor him.

"This award commends individuals whose daily dedication and caregiving inspires others with their compassion, dedication and merciful spirit," Daniel wrote in a press release.

"LifePoint Hospitals is committed to delivering high-quality patient care, and we are extremely proud to recognize Kathy for her efforts on behalf of our patients and our community," said Daniel. "Her exemplary work and compassion set a high standard for health care professionals, and we are proud to have her as part of our employee family. Undoubtedly, our patients benefit from the kind of commitment to humanitarian concerns she demonstrates each day."

When asked her greatest challenge, McElgunn, a mystery novel buff and oft-nominated employee-of-the-month, replied, "It’s all a challenge, but I am happy I can help out when needed."