Each May, during Florence Nightingale's birthday week, the Houston Chronicle joins with local partners and sponsors to celebrate National Nurses Week and the role these essential caregivers play in delivering the highest level of care. Since 2000, the Houston Chronicle has solicited nominations from the public for its Salute to Nurses awards. Nominations are reviewed by a blue-ribbon panel, and 15 outstanding professionals are chosen to be honored as greater Houston's Top 15 Nurses of the Year.

Every year for the last seven, a University of St. Thomas Peavy School of Nursing faculty member or student has made the list of honorees. This year, full-time nursing student, Natalie Filer ’22, receives recognition.

Filer Exemplifies Quality of Holistic Nursing

Filer was nominated for the award because “she exemplifies the qualities of holistic nursing,” Associate Professor of Nursing Dr. Kristina Leyden said. “She always demonstrates patience, empathy and teamwork. We are grateful she has answered the call to the nursing vocation.”Filer takes the idea of holistic nursing to heart. “The School of Nursing has taught me that my patient is much more than their medical diagnosis. And if you see your patient exclusively as their medical diagnosis you cannot achieve the proper healing which needs to take place. Holistic nursing to me means to take in each patient physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally and engage in active listening to understand your patient’s wants and needs.”

Guided by Family, Faith & Faculty

Filer is following in a family tradition to become a nurse. Her grandmother is a nurse.

“It has been so nice having her by my side even when things get difficult,” Filer said. “I enjoy the conversations that we have, and she gets to see me grow and develop within nursing. That means so much.

Filer also leans on her faith to see her through tough times.“My faith is strong, and I know that every path I have and will be put on, is because of God,” she said. “My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11: ‘For I know the plans I have for you.’ This Bible verse reminds me to stay grounded in my faith and to trust each process because there is a reason for it.”Filer has big plans after entering the world of nursing. “Upon graduation, I would love to pursue a nursing career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Labor & Delivery or within Pediatrics. I took both Holistic Nursing: Care of Childbearing Family and Holistic Nursing: Care of Children and Families and loved the courses with both Dr. (Yvette) Rolle and. Dr. (Kristina) Leyden. I cannot thank them enough for helping me find my passion!”

Enroll in Nursing School

If you want to become a nurse, contact UST's Peavy School of Nursing for information.