Two special nurses –two unique specialties Robin McCauley

By Andrea Busche

It takes a very special person to be a nurse. Not only do nurses care for our physical needs, but our emotional needs as well. Nurses communicate with our families, comfort us when we are sick and frightened, and can make a tremendous impact on our lives. And, as shown many times over during the current COVID-19 pandemic, nurses (and other medical personnel) often risk their own wellbeing in order to help keep us healthy and safe.

For these reasons and more, it’s important to express our gratitude to nurses for everything they do. We at The

Woman Today are pleased to recognize and honor two caring nurses who have two very unique specialties.

Robin McCauley works as the assistant head nurse in the neurotrauma intensive care unit (ICU) at Essentia. Melanie Kucera is the clinical manager at Marywood Assisted Living, where she supports geriatric patients, including a two-floor memory care unit.

Both women care deeply about their patients and are passionate about what they do. We are fortunate these caring professionals have chosen to share their gifts with the world, through their careers in nursing.

Robin McCauley

Robin McCauley grew up in Duluth and seemed almost destined for work in the medical field. Interestingly, her parents met at the former St. Mary’s Hospital. And McCauley showed inclinations at an early age that she was headed toward a career in nursing.

“I started as a candy striper at age 14,” she said. “I have known since I was a little girl that I wanted to be a nurse.”

McCauley earned her CNA credentials during high school and spent about four years working at Park Point Manor. She earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC), and began working at Essentia in 1997. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University.

In addition to her work as a nurse, McCauley spent 15 years serving on the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, where she helped with land and water searches and worked as a first responder. She and her parents operate the food shelf at Waters Edge Community Church, which is open one day per month.

“My parents and I have always felt a great need to serve our fellow man,” she explained.

McCauley shared what she enjoys most about her patient demographic.

“I’ve grown to really love the patient population in the neurotrauma ICU, which includes people with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and people who have had accidents, falls and strokes. My patients are not always able to communicate, but having a connection to them, and with their families, and helping make their day better is so rewarding for me.”

McCauley was recently honored by her employer when she was featured on an Essentia billboard located at the corner of 6th Avenue East and 4th Street, which was displayed for the entire summer of 2019.

When she isn’t working, McCauley enjoys socializing with friends and doing outdoor activities like hiking and walking. She shares her home with two cats, Dottie and Itty Bitty.

Melanie Kucera

Melanie Kucera, also a Duluth resident, can relate to the people she serves, and their families, too. She cared for her elderly father at the end of his life, and also lost a brother and a sister when they were in the prime of life.

“I know what my patients are going through. I’ve been there. These events have made me a more compassionate, better nurse,” she said.

Just two days after graduating from Denfeld High School, Kucera went to boot camp. While she never was enlisted in full-time active duty in the military, she served as both a Navy reservist and a corpsman.

Kucera earned CNA credentials during high school and attended Duluth Technical College (now Lake Superior College) for her LPN certification. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from

Continued on page 20

• Environmental Education integrated throughout the curriculum.

• Art, Music, PE, and Environmental Ed Specialists

• Small Class Sizes

• Busing from Duluth and Two Harbors

University of Phoenix.

She spent 10 years at Bayshore, where she worked as a CNA, LPN and RN. Then, she spent the next 19 years at Lake Superior College, where she taught the nursing assistant program to students. About a year ago, Kucera became the clinical manager at Marywood Assisted Living. In this role, Kucera not only oversees the facility, but continues doing nursing duties, too.

Kucera explained what she loves most about serving the geriatric population.

“I knew early on that geriatrics was going to be my thing,” she said. “I just love how they are such an honest group of people – they say it like it is. They have so much knowledge and wisdom. And I get to see them at the point in their lives where they are really evaluating what matters.”

Kucera enjoys participating in the Joyous Hearts Choir, where she and others sing to the residents in Marywood’s memory care unit.

“We sing the songs that our residents grew up with,” she said. “And, they often know the entire song.”

Kucera is the mother of two adult children, Sam (21) and Victoria (23), and also has a dog, Delbert. When she’s not at work, she enjoys sewing and quilting.

“Anything crafting-wise is my therapy,” she said.

Thank you

Through their careers, along with their “extracurricular activities,” Robin McCauley and Melanie Kucera continually strive to improve the lives of others. These selfless women seek to heal, comfort, and soothe.

As such, we are abundantly grateful to them, and the many other nurses making a difference, each and every day. D

HE RE ’S TO WH AT MA TT ER SM OS T

Every birth story is different. When you look back on yours, what will you remember? The peace of mind that comes from knowing bothofyou are in good hands with our high-risk OB services and NICU. The special bond that acertified Baby-Friendly® Designated Hospital can help foster. The support of certified nurse midwives. That’s our role in the story. Delivering the kind of compassionate care you won’t forget.

Maternity care like nowhere else.

By Ann Klefstad