The word nurse is defined by Webster as ‘a person trained for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital’. While that may define, what nurses do, it does not explain who they are. Nurses are your friend, there to hold your hand. Nurses are your parent, there to assure you that all will be okay. Nurses are a companion, there to listen and fulfill even the smallest requests. Nurses fill the role of any person you need, at the very instant when you are at the greatest and worst moments of life. So, during Nurse Appreciation Week, we would like to take a moment to honor those who are there for us, our nurses here in the Upper Valley.

Meet Kerry Keazer, RN
Lebanon, NH

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital
Assistant Nurse Manager on the Medical Surgical Unit

Why did you become a nurse?
I became a nurse in 2011. The best part of being a nurse:  All of it!  I love the staff, helping patients, multi-tasking, leadership, and the sense of fulfillment I have at the end of the day

What is the best part of your job?
After so many years as a nurse, I have a lot of stories.   For my patients, I really enjoy bringing calm and comfort to the patients and their families during end-of-life care.  It’s something we all pride ourselves on here, and I am diligent in making that transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

What is the most heartwarming/uplifting story you have from being a nurse?
For nurses, the most heartwarming aspect is seeing new nurses I’ve trained to be “great nurses” practicing patient care.  Imparting knowledge and skills is so important to helping them be the best they can be.  I absolutely love it! 

The word nurse is defined by Webster as ‘a person trained for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital’. While that may define, what nurses do, it does not explain who they are. Nurses are your friend, there to hold your hand. Nurses are your parent, there to assure you that all will be okay. Nurses are a companion, there to listen and fulfill even the smallest requests. Nurses fill the role of any person you need, at the very instant when you are at the greatest and worst moments of life. So, during Nurse Appreciation Week, we would like to take a moment to honor those who are there for us, our nurses here in the Upper Valley.

Meet Tamera Dubuque, RN
Lebanon, NH

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital
Geriatric Case Manager in the Primary Care Clinic

Why did you become a nurse?

About 10 years ago I was very unhappy with my job.  My husband took me out to dinner one night to try and cheer me up, and out of the blue asked if I had ever thought of becoming a nurse.  It was like he was reading my mind because I had been researching the best way to do just that!  Becoming a nurse is something I said I would do when I was 7 years old after being in the hospitalized after a car accident.  At that age I was scared staying in the hospital by myself, but my nurse made all the difference.  I remember thinking I wanted to be able to help people in that same way one day.  So after starting my family and trying a couple of other careers, I decided it was time to go back to school and become a nurse.  I was blessed to have the support of my family, who allowed me to work crazy shifts as an LNA while going to school.  It wasn’t always easy, but becoming a nurse has been one of the best decisions of my life.

What is the best part of your job?

I love a lot of things about my job!  But the best part of my job is when I see that my clinical/professional knowledge has benefited my patient’s by helping them achieve the best outcome and/or their desired outcome.  I also really enjoy working at a small community hospital that supports the community I live in.

What is the most heartwarming/uplifting story you have from being a nurse?

There are so many wonderful people in this community I have had the privilege of taking care of it is hard to think of one story.  I often find that my personal and professional worlds collide working in such a small community; especially a community in which my husband was raised in.  I just know that I always learn something from each patient experience, and I hope that I am giving them the same in return.

The word nurse is defined by Webster as ‘a person trained for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital’. While that may define, what nurses do, it does not explain who they are. Nurses are your friend, there to hold your hand. Nurses are your parent, there to assure you that all will be okay. Nurses are a companion, there to listen and fulfill even the smallest requests. Nurses fill the role of any person you need, at the very instant when you are at the greatest and worst moments of life. So, during Nurse Appreciation Week, we would like to take a moment to honor those who are there for us, our nurses here in the Upper Valley.

Meet Justin Harris BSN, RN
Lebanon, NH

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital
Emergency Department

Why did you become a nurse?
Because I like people and I like the body.

What is the best part of your job?
Being part of streamlining and improving efficiencies in health care all while providing good customer service.

What is the most heartwarming/uplifting story you have from being a nurse?
I worked at an app based telehealth solution.  The best part was sending out hand written Christmas cards to all our customers and hearing back the positive responses.

The word nurse is defined by Webster as ‘a person trained for the sick or infirm, especially in a hospital’. While that may define, what nurses do, it does not explain who they are. Nurses are your friend, there to hold your hand. Nurses are your parent, there to assure you that all will be okay. Nurses are a companion, there to listen and fulfill even the smallest requests. Nurses fill the role of any person you need, at the very instant when you are at the greatest and worst moments of life. So, during Nurse Appreciation Week, we would like to take a moment to honor those who are there for us, our nurses here in the Upper Valley.

Meet Christine Paul BSN, RN
Lebanon, NH

Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital
RN with the Primary Care at the Multi-Specialty Clinic

Why did you become a nurse?
I always wanted to be a nurse even as a young girl. I enjoy helping people and caring for them especially when they are going through a difficult time in their life.

What is the best part of your job?
It is being a part of the community that I grew up in. I was born at the Homestead Building in the 50s and grew up in Meriden. After being out of the area for 40 years I returned and joined the Primary Care Practice at APD. I now provide care to long time family friends, people that babysat me and some that I babysat for, elementary and high school classmates and even my favorite former teacher. It is such a privilege to be trusted with their care and visits are “mini-reunions”.

What is the most heartwarming/uplifting story you have from being a nurse?
Prior to returning to Lebanon I lived in SC. During that time, I provided home care for about 5 years to a girl with severe disabilities. She and her sister were the ages of my grandkids, her parents the age of my daughters. They quickly nicknamed me “Chrisma” as they thought of me as a surrogate grandma. We continue to correspond and I visit them when I can. It warms my heart to know that not only did I provide physical care to “my patient” but I also provided nurturing and support to the family and had a positive impact on their lives.

What is your favorite quote?
“Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit.” Mary Lou Retton

What Disney character would you be and why?
Snow White. She enjoys people with a variety of personalities and is happy in her home.

If you had to give away 50% of your assets today, how/where would you distribute them?
I would set up funds to fully staff nursing homes. I would donate to cancer and mental health research.

What famous person would you take on a world tour?
Barack Obama

What advice would you give the next generation?
Use your phones less, and engage with people and your environment more. Look beyond yourself. See the beauty around you and find solutions to things that need changing. Remember, there is more strength in kindness than in putting someone down. Don’t be silent if you see something wrong; speak up! Really listen, too. Be grateful and don’t forget to say “thank you.” Keep in touch with your parents and grandparents. Enjoy your life!

Where in Lebanon do you spend most of your time?
The Upper Valley Senior Center

Where would you prefer to spend most of your time?
Near the water

To which local business are you loyal to and why?
Roberts Auto. I feel they care about my safety and often check out my car on the spur of the moment when I have concerns. I trust them like family.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Wherever I could find lots of sea glass, shells, and warm ocean waves.

What are you most excited about in your life right now?
The opportunity to share my art and poems in the community, and anticipating publication of poetry by those of us in my poetry class.

Who is your local hero?
I have two: Roberta Berner and Benté Torjusen

Do you see the forest or the trees?
I try to see one tree at a time for decision making, and the entire forest for gratitude.

Name one thing you want to add to Lebanon.
A beach

What’s the one item on your “to do” list that never seems to get done?
Writing my book about my son Bob.

What is your favorite quote?
We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.

If you could be invisible for a day, where would you be?
The Governor’s Office to see what goes on when there are no reporters or tv cameras

What Disney character would you be and why?
The Beast. He gets respect.

What song most describes your life right now?
Foghat’s Third Time Lucky

What do you love most about living in New Hampshire?
The outdoors, the seasons changing, the lakes and rivers, the hills and mountains

If you had to give away 50% of your assets today, how/where would you distribute them?
Homeless Veterans

What famous person would you take on a world tour?
Colin Powell

What advice would you give the next generation?
Don’t squander your time on this earth. Learn from our mistakes and don’t forget the sunscreen!

In general, do you follow, break, or create the rules?
I’ve been known to do all three.

Where would you prefer to spend most of your time?
Fishing, hunting, canoeing, tinkering in the garage

To which local business are you loyal to and why?
NAPA. They are parts people with many years of experience and training. They know what you are talking about without turning to the computer.

Which superpowers would you choose and what good would you do with them?
Time travel, so I could prevent the attack on Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 Attacks.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Alaska!

In which stage of life would you prefer to spend the most time and why?
Right now, because I know what I didn’t know and that is a very good thing.

What are you most excited about in your life right now?
My health

Who is your local hero?
Paula Maville, assistant city manager

What Disney character would you be and why?

Anna from Frozen; she’s very optimistic and hopeful.

If you could erase one day in history which would it be?

The day Hitler came to power

What song most describes your life right now?

The Story by Brandi Carlile

What do you love most about living in New Hampshire?

It is small enough so I can know my neighbors, and large enough to meet new people all the time.

If you had to give away 50% of your assets today, how/where would you distribute them?

I’d would donate them to the Humane Society, Vital Communities, Lebanon Opera House, Hanover Street School, and Storr’s Hill.

What famous person would you take on a world tour?

Meryl Streep

What advice would you give the next generation?

You’ll be many things in life, but always be kind.

In general, do you follow, break or create the rules?

All of the above

Describe Lebanon in one word or phrase.

Neighborly

To which local business are you loyal to and why?

Coop Food Store. I like the coffee and I know the people.

Which super powers would you choose and what good would you do with them?

I would choose the power of compassion, and I would use it to show people their best selves.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?

On a world tour!

In which stage of life would you prefer to spend the most time and why?

Now, because I know who I am and who I’m not.

What are you most excited about in your life right now?

Being in school to be an OTA and raising my son

What do you wish there was more of in the world?

Compassion

What movie or show can you watch again and again?

Sense and Sensibility

Who is your local hero?

Dan Fraser and Dorothy Byrne

Name one thing you want to add to Lebanon.

Affordable housing

What’s the last book you read?

Discover the Gift by Shajen Joy Aziz. Loved it!

What brought you to Lebanon?
Husband’s job

What’s your favorite hang-out in Lebanon?
Lebanon High School Football Field

What’s your favorite food on the Thanksgiving table?
Butternut squash

Favorite way to spend a snowy day in Lebanon?
Sledding

What are you most looking forward to this winter?
After over ten years of working tax seasons, new job with no tax season.

What fictional place would you like to visit?
Narnia

What would be your first question after waking up from a 100-year sleep?
Have we found a cure for cancer yet?

What is the best way to start the day?
Good cup of coffee and reading my Bible

What charity do you donate your time or other resources to regularly?
Boy Scout Troop 279 and Christ Redeemer Church

What was cool when you were younger, but not now?
Playgrounds with metal slides and
merry-go-rounds.

What is your favorite movie from childhood?
Any Shirley Temple movie

What is your motto in life?
It’s not about being the best, it’s about being better than you were yesterday.

If you could have one super human power, what would it be?
To fly

What brought you to Lebanon?
My frame shop, The Gilded Edge

What’s your favorite hang-out in Lebanon?
Lebanon Diner

What’s your favorite food on the Thanksgiving table?
Green bean casserole

Favorite way to spend a snowy day in Lebanon?
On my couch with my cat and a good movie or
book

What skill would you like to master?
Gold leafing. Also Eglomisé which is reverse
painting and gilding on glass.

What would be your first question after waking up
from a 100-year sleep?
Is the coffee on?

What is your ideal way to spend a weekend in
Lebanon?
Fishing in one of the rivers, ponds or lakes.

What is the best way to start the day?
With a cup of coffee

What is your favorite movie from childhood?
White Christmas

If I gave you $1,000, what would you spend it on?
Art supplies

If you could have one superhuman power,
what would it be?
Super Speed

What’s your biggest fear/phobia?
Failure

What’s your most energizing dream/vision of
your future?
Bringing my frame shop, The Gilded Edge, to the
next level.

What brought you to Lebanon?

Living in Toronto, even though I love city life, I found myself missing the great outdoors. My folks live within a few hours’ drive. The assistant director job opened up at LOH, and Lebanon looked like a small town, so I applied for the job, and have been here almost two years. I love it here, people are great.

What’s your favorite hang-out in Lebanon?

You are likely to find me, in no particular order, at the pub, on the rail trail, or anywhere within walking distance of the Green. And at the office of course. Come by the opera house to say hi!

What’s your favorite food on the Thanksgiving table?

Anything goes well with my family’s gravy recipe.

Favorite way to spend a snowy day in Lebanon?

I like being out and about in the cold before settling in to some reading at home. I enjoy how quiet it gets when it snows.

What are you most looking forward to this winter?

Some great shows at the opera house, some mulled wine, and some family time. Exercising indoors is more enjoyable in winter, too. Maybe some skiing?

What fictional place would you like to visit?

I always thought the Labyrinth would be a fun place to visit, but without all that pressure from David Bowie, the Goblin King.

What skill would you like to master?

Baking. I can cook just fine; I’m a truly awful baker.

What is your idea way to spend a weekend in Lebanon?

Friday evening show at LOH. Cooking breakfast on Saturday, then a nice walk or indoor row. Lunch with friends, and then checking out whoever is playing at Salt hill Saturday night. Sundays involve grocery shopping with friends, and hauling my laundry over to the laundromat. Good chance to catch up on reading, too.

What charity do you donate to regularly?

I play clarinet in the Upper Valley Community Band and am also their treasurer. I’m on the board of directors of the Upper Valley Humane Society. Vital Communities is another great local non-profit.

What weird food combinations do you really enjoy?

Rice, milk, and a little bit of maple syrup – don’t judge! It’s delicious.

What is your favorite movie from childhood?

I watched the 1953 version of War of the Worlds probably 100 times when I was a kid.

If you could have dinner with any famous person (alive or dead) who would it be?

Ludwig van Beethoven