Linda Venzke, RN, nurse auditor in the Office of Institutional Compliance, has been selected as one of 25 Outstanding Texas Nurses for 2023.
Linda was nominated by Meredith Hartzog, who wrote:
"Linda Venzke has worked for UTMB for over 15 years. Linda is an excellent nurse who is so giving both at work and for our patients in the Galveston community.
"Linda started with the Luke Society in 1981 where she went on her first mission trip to Mexico. The Luke Society is a nonprofit 501(c) organization that functions solely on volunteers and grants. Luke Society provides basic level medical and spiritual care every Saturday in a parking lot in Galveston. This clinic helps uninsured patients not clog up our emergency room by providing them medical assessments, treatments and medications.
"Linda is the medical director of the Luke Society and has tremendous responsibility and time commitment, all while working full-time at UTMB in the Office of Institutional Compliance as a Compliance Nurse Auditor.
"Last year she was responsible for getting approximately $50,000 in grants to buy medications, medical supplies and items needed to run the clinic. Not only does she volunteer her time to run this very needed clinic (and all the time to do paperwork, apply for grants and preparation behind the scenes), she goes above and beyond for these patients. I have seen her several times use her own money to get patients an Uber, giving blankets on those very cold days and even giving her own money to help people who have nothing and are trying to make ends meet, or need to put food on their table.
"Linda is so kind to everyone and treats these special people like they are VIPs—especially needed, since often society looks down on these people. Linda truly makes a difference and it’s just who she is and she has been doing this for the past 41 years.
"Linda also organizes the annual Sheriff charity for children in Galveston county. This is a large undertaking, and the joy she brings to those in need without any expectation is truly admirable. We can always count on Linda to learn, give and go the extra mile. She has touched so many lives and has made a huge impact both at work and in our community."
The Texas Nurses Association values all nurses and is committed to recognizing those who go above and beyond. This annual award focuses on recognizing the contributions of 25 Texas registered nurses who have made a difference in the lives of others. The TNA Awards Committee vetted more than 70 submissions, and the TNA Board of Directors approved their selection.
Linda also was awarded the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses in April 2022.