Despite her immense responsibility managing one of the state’s largest COVID-19 testing sites, Amy Runge maintains her unique ability to truly connect with community members, offering her undivided attention and unwavering compassion. Runge’s holistic approach to nursing and health care has led to a career working in community nursing—something Southern Nevada has greatly benefited from this past year.
Under Runge’s leadership, UMC’s testing site at the Las Vegas Convention Center provided more than 65,000 COVID-19 tests to local workers, supporting the health of our workforce while allowing the economy to safely reopen.
It’s no surprise Runge would step up to this role. Prior to the pandemic, her work focused primarily on providing community members with access to free health classes and training, including life-saving Stop the Bleed courses, parenting classes and CPR training through the Healthy Living Institute at UMC and the UMC Wellness Center.
Through education, outreach, health promotion and injury prevention, Runge and her team provide patients with valuable tools and empower them to take charge of their health and wellness.
Once a school nurse, Runge has always been a committed patient advocate and educator. During a time marked by widespread fear and uncertainty, she has worked tirelessly to put patients at ease, offering reassurance and detailed information about the testing process, in addition to useful education to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Runge even found creative ways to reach the community. She organized the community’s largest drive-thru Halloween celebration, providing nearly 1,000 children with a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, and a Thanksgiving drive-thru event offering free holiday meals to local senior citizens—all while educating attendees about the importance of avoiding large gatherings amid the pandemic.
Community Outreach Runner-up
Raquel Cruz-Juarez Director of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains