Nurses are the backbone of our health care system. From lending an empathetic ear to administering medications to sitting with us when it feels like the world is falling down around us, they are there—making us feel human while seeming superhuman themselves. The nurses within these pages are the ones you nominated for their lasting influence, and they are truly the champions of our West Virginia centers of care. Read their stories, discover what inspires them, and be inspired yourself.

Cortni Riggs

CMA Marshall Health Specialty: Neuromuscular Medicine

For Cortni Riggs, an encounter with a special nurse changed the trajectory of her life. Riggs’ son was born with a heart defect requiring multiple corrective surgeries, but a nurse named Lisa was by her side each step of the terrifying journey. “I wanted to become a nurse because of Lisa,” Riggs says. “She made that big of a difference for me, and I want to be that type of nurse for other people.”

By all accounts from her coworkers and supervisors, Riggs has certainly become a high-quality caregiver in her role as a certified medical assistant at Marshall Health, where she is the lead nurse for neurologist, Dr. Hollinger. Her colleagues say she goes above and beyond, treating her patients as if they were family.

Neurology was initially an intimidating field for Riggs, but she credits her knowledge in the department to Dr. Hollinger’s passion for teaching. She, too, has a passion for learning and is currently enrolled in nursing school to further her education and to improve the level of care she can provide to her patients.

Riggs primarily works with patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who are chronically ill and have specialized care needs. Admittedly, Riggs says, the condition proves challenging, but she wants to be a light during the dark times for this population. “I had a patient once tell me, ‘This has been the worst news I’ve ever had and this has been the most horrible time, but you made it 10 times better.’ It just made me cry. That makes it worth it. If people who have a terminal diagnosis say you’ve made the process better, that’s what I’m here for. That’s my difference.”

READ ABOUT OTHER 2024 CHAMPIONS OF CARE