May 10, 2021
Diane Knuth, LPN, OB & Women’s Health
This coming year, I will mark 50 years as an LPN. I’ll also be celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary, turning 70 years old, and will retire in February, so it’s quite a year of milestones. I went into nursing because I always wanted to help people. When I was 14, I started working at a nursing home in Winthrop where I worked in laundry and in the kitchen. As soon as I turned 16, I told them I wanted to work on the floor with patients, so I became a nurse’s aide. I just had a love of caring for the elderly and that’s what really got me started.
I’ve been at CentraCare for 13 years, working with Dr. Kroska at the CentraCare – Plaza Clinic. He’s been just a joy to work with and I appreciate getting to know all our patients. Over the years we’ve had several women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, so I’ve shared my story of cancer and recovery with them. I was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, and I had a bilateral mastectomy, which Dr. Kroska performed. Being able to connect with patients through that experience is comforting to them because a cancer diagnosis is a tough pill to swallow. It’s a special union between a nurse and a patient, and that’s what I will miss most.
Diane, thank you for the work you have done in your career. You were a caring and healing spirit to me while I was going through infertility and the pregnancy and birth of the triplets, among other things. You will be missed. Congrats on your upcoming retirement!
Diane,
Thank you for sharing your story, the impact you have made patients, and your commitment to nursing. Thank you for your time with CentraCare and I hope you enjoy your upcoming retirement.
Thank you Diane for how you care for your patients! I don’t feel like your my nurse, you’re my friend! I feel very comfortable sharing what’s going on and know that you hear and understand me. You do an outstanding job in building relationship with your patients and I thank you for that. I will miss you and Dr. Kroska when you retire!
You have touched the lives of so many people. When you retire you will be missed by everyone you work with. You have made a difference in the lives of your patients and they will miss you also. Thank you for the pleasure of working with you!