Touching Your Heart

Annette Jesh uses her nursing experience to take care of people on a community-wide scale.

Annette Jesh, nurse and volunteer extraordinaire, has served the community of Sauk Rapids for many years and recently earned the title of Sauk Rapids Chamber Citizen of the Year. Cheryl Hommerding nominated Jesh and describes her by saying, "Annette is a wonderful nurse, a great volunteer and one of the most genuine women I know. She has set an example for all women and girls in her job as an RN and working with mothers and children and in her volunteering at so many levels. She has a way of touching your heart and making a difference."

Annete Jesh, the 2010 Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year

After graduating from the College of St. Teresa in 1968, Jesh says "I knew that I wanted to go into public health." She worked in nursing at hospitals in St. Paul and Rochester before joing the staff at the St. Cloud Hospital. Her ultimate goal came to fruition in 1976 when she began working for Benton County Human Services.

For 23 years Jesh worked for the county, first as a public health nurse then as a maternal child health supervisor. "I was involved in a lot of community projects through my employment, to help single and young parents be the best they could be." She helped people build confidence by teaching a class called "Self Esteem: A Family Affair," and promoted healthy pregnancies, with the goal of reducing health risks to mothers and babies. "I loved that work," says Jesh.

Her experience led her to volunteer elsewhere and take care of people on a broader, community-wide scale. While working as a nurse she realized a great way to reach ill people was through the church. "People make their first connections with a pastor or church worker when they have concerns for their health," she says.

Sister Byron with the Diocese of St. Cloud started bringing nurses together, leading the parish nurse movement, a faith-based community nursing effort. Jesh has been chair of the Church of Sacred Heart Health & Wellness Committee, on the Health Ministries of Central Minnesota Committee, vice president and president of the Central Minnesota Parish Nurse Ministry Committee, and board member of the Memory Care Clinic.
 With her vast nursing background, Jesh was called to serve as a volunteer for the Memory Care Clinic after her mother developed Alzheimer's Disease. The clinic, which is funded by grants, provides services for patients and families. "From the 1970s, there was no support for family members of those with Alzheimer's," says Jesh. The clinic helps with all the issues surrounding the disease, including assisting the family caregiver. "If you take care of the family as caretakers, you can keep the patient out of the nursing home three years longer."

The Memory Care Clinic is in need of support, Jesh says. Public health has lost support financially from the state, so the services are needed, but the resources are not there. Jesh argues, "You can't run a clinic or a program just on fees. Fifty percent of those age 85 will have dementia." Jesh tells the story of a funeral she attended where they stood in a circle and each individual had a family member with Alzheimer's. "I'm really passionate about telling those people to get support."

Jill Copeland is the Communications & Workforce Development Coordinator at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.