Leona takes pride in understanding the full picture for patients and families, especially those who must travel long distances for care.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always ask about their supports\u2014who\u2019s driving, where they\u2019re staying, whether they know the city,\u201d she said. \u201cI do what I can to make it easier because I know how stressful it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
That commitment is rooted in a principle that has guided Leona\u2019s practice for decades: treat every patient the way you would want your own family to be treated.<\/p>\n
A Career Built on Expert Care<\/strong><\/p>\n Leona has spent most of her career in cardiac critical care, gaining expertise while working closely with senior nurses who mentored her early on.<\/p>\n \u201cI was lucky to have amazing colleagues who took me under their wing,\u201d she said. \u201cThat shaped me\u2014and I\u2019ve always tried to pass that on.\u201d<\/p>\n For Leona, expert care<\/strong> isn\u2019t just about clinical skill. It\u2019s about advocacy, communication, and ensuring patients feel safe and seen in the most vulnerable moments of their lives.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are often the voice for our patients,\u201d she said. \u201cThey can\u2019t always navigate the system on their own, especially when they\u2019re sick. So, I advocate for them\u2014whether that\u2019s helping them understand their care, or just making sure their appointments aren\u2019t scattered across several trips.\u201d<\/p>\n Recognition That Reflects the Profession<\/strong><\/p>\n The nomination caught her off guard. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect it,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t think I\u2019d done anything special. But it reminded me that small things can have a big impact.\u201d<\/p>\n And that\u2019s what makes her proud to be a nurse.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing that I can make someone\u2019s life a little less stressful\u2014that\u2019s what keeps me going,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re here to care. And sometimes that means simply listening, organizing, or picking up the phone with a reassuring voice.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For 34 years, Leona Lundrigan has been a steady, compassionate presence in Newfoundland and Labrador\u2019s healthcare system. Working primarily in cardiac care\u2014and now in a vital coordinating role\u2014Leona is known not only for her clinical expertise, but for the kindness and calm she brings to every interaction. One family recently nominated Leona for recognition, describing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[89,97,98],"class_list":["post-1282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nursing-matters","tag-national-nursing-week","tag-the-power-of-nurses-to-transform-health","tag-leona-lundrigan"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/intouch.rnunl.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/LeonaWebGrad-294x300.jpg\")
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