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.

Jennifer Meadows

RN Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Huntington Specialty: Rehabilitation

From the time she was 5 years old, Jennifer Meadows knew she wanted to become a nurse. When her daughter battled some serious health conditions, Meadows’ passion for the profession was only further ignited as she saw nurses advocate for their patients.

After obtaining her nursing degree, the St. Albans native began working at Charleston Area Medical Center in the medical–surgical department, which she says gave her a solid foundation to grow her knowledge and skill set. “Being on the other side as a patient, with all of my daughter’s medical issues, I’ve had a connection with families,” Meadows says. “I think empathy is important, to know what they felt like and what they were going through.”

Meadows experienced a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic, so she decided to make a shift in her career, both to be closer to home and to reinvigorate her love of the profession. She has now worked for over two years as an RN at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Huntington, where patients can receive intensive rehabilitation for conditions like a stroke or hip fracture.

Working with patients in rehabilitation has been highly rewarding for Meadows, as she gets to see vast progress in their conditions over the course of their journeys. “Watching someone who couldn’t walk, then watching them walk out of the door when they leave—that in itself is so satisfying, seeing them get better. It’s a wonderful feeling, and it just warms your heart.”

On her tough days, she pulls strength from her late father, who was one of her biggest supporters in life. She also reflects on the success stories of her patients. “I’m passionate about my work. Even on the rough days, I know I’ve made a difference.”

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