Laura Gray
Registered Nurse
Keokuk Area Hospital

As a veteran registered nurse, Laura Gray is known not only for her technical competence, but for her leadership and professionalism as well. Her nursing career has been distinguished and admirable, but perhaps a recent event captured the scope and meaning of what it means to be a hero better than anything else.

It was a typical winter evening in Iowa, with sleet and blowing snow.  For veteran nurse Joyce Aldridge, it was a good night to just stay in. While tending to household chores, she experienced some pressure in her chest that just wouldn’t go away.  Joyce decided to call her husband, Darrell, who was miles away.  Darrell suggested Joyce call her long-time friend, Laura Gray. 

Joyce and Laura had worked together as nurses at Keokuk Area Hospital (KAH) for 20 years.  Knowing that Laura keeps busy at home with her family, Joyce didn’t want to bother her.  Darrell heard the concern in Joyce’s voice and took it upon himself to make the call to Laura.  Immediately, Laura understood the severity of the situation and with her husband James, they arrived at Joyce’s house and witnessed the intense pain her friend was in; Laura insisted they go to the emergency room as fast as road conditions would allow. 

Arriving at KAH, Joyce was able to walk into the trauma room, but within minutes was in a full code situation.  While the physicians and emergency room staff were responding to this crisis, it was Laura who insisted on doing CPR and carrying out her promise to Joyce that she would not leave her. 

Today, Joyce is doing great and is back to work.  She credits many individuals for her happy ending, but had it not been for the persistence and life-saving work of her friend, Laura, she knows things might have turned out quite differently.