If there has been one good thing to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, I think it is the respect we all gained for healthcare workers. Too often many of us don't take the time to appreciate or acknowledge the work healthcare professionals do, we just take it for granted, but that has is beginning to change. We might acknowledge more often the hard work they do on a daily basis, but do we really realize the tremendous toll it takes on their bodies, minds, and hearts?

When we received the picture of this week's Hometown Hero, Amy Palmer of Durand, I thought, "could there be a better picture to describe this brave nurse?" The answer, by the way, is no.

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Here is the nomination letter we received about Amy from Robin Palmer of Durand;

Amy is a dedicated CCU nurse at Swedish American Hospital. She takes care of the critically sick patients. She give them her all and if affects her tremendously she has the biggest heart. Covid has taken a toll not only on her but all our front line workers and still manages to come home and do her best at being a mom and wife! Long hours at work and more hours at home!

Amy, I think you may be my hero. I cannot even imagine the heartbreaking things you see every day on the job, and I am in awe of your resilience and ability to keep on keeping on. I truly hope you use the $100 Amazon gift card we are giving you thanks to Gustafson's Furniture & Mattress for something that brings you joy or makes you smile. I'm willing to bet you don't treat yourself often enough!

If you know someone who deserves extra special recognition like Amy, please nominate them as next week's Hometown Hero, here.

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