Rhine Chosen Patient Care Award Winner

Heidi Rhine, RN, Emergency Room, has been chosen as the June Concerned Patient Care Award winner. This is her fourth nomination for the award. She was nominated by the Chavez Family for her caring and compassion during their baby’s illness.

"When my baby almost didn’t make it, Heidi was always there for me and my family. Every time I needed a question answered she answered me. If she didn’t know the answer, she would find out for us. When my baby went upstairs, she went along with us and every night she worked she went upstairs to see just how we were all doing. She was just so patient and kind to all of us and very supportive. I and my family think she should very much be recognized somehow."

Heidi came to work at Southwest Medical Center in January of 1996 after completing a Bachelor’s in Nursing at Wichita State University. She worked on Medical, Surgery and ICU before settling in the Emergency Room five years ago. She returned here after completing her education because SWMC Scholarship Funds assisted her in getting her degree.

She is currently working on a Master’s in Nursing with an emphasis on Family Nurse Practitioner. She has just finished her first year of the three year program. The classes are provided over the internet from the University of Kansas.

After completing her education, Heidi wants to work in pediatrics and women’s health, two areas she really enjoys. In fact, one of the things she likes about the ER is all the pediatric patients. The other is trauma and critical care.

Although she does not have much spare time because of her school work, Heidi enjoys spending time with her 15-year-old brother, Travis, playing golf, watching movies or just hanging out. She also enjoys gardening, reading and shopping.

She is engaged to be married to David Riley who owns a landscaping business. They haven’t set a wedding date, but Heidi says sometime next spring or summer.