Nurse driving a 1992 Buick surprised with new car from Secret Santa at the hospital
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Secret Santa is back and this Christmas is bigger than ever!
The EastIdahoNews.com team is busy helping a local man gift more than $500,000 this holiday season. A lot more. Secret Santa is a real person who wants to remain anonymous and hopes to help as many people as he can.
We will be surprising deserving people and families every day from now until Christmas with gifts unique to their circumstances.
Kristie Wood has worked as a nurse in the Women’s and Infant’s unit at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center since 1997. she has many hats. She is the best mom supporting her four stand-up children through college (one recently graduated as an RN in her mother’s footsteps).
She is the finest nurse leader and the best advocate for friends, co-workers and the community. Kristie got the outstanding preceptor award in 2019, precepting 75% of the new RN hires on our unit. She is a great example of unlocking the possibilities of her colleagues and others she serves.
Kristie and Todd have two vehicles – a 1992 Buick and a 2000 Mercury. Both are constantly breaking down and do not have heat or air conditioners. Kristie leaves for work 40 minutes early every day to prepare and make sure her car will “make it!” She “only had to walk to work once this summer” and considers that a victory!
Kristie was recently asked why she doesn’t get a reliable car and she said they make do with what they have and try to help other people’s needs first. When she won the preceptor award, she was embarrassed to park her vehicle in the special parking spot so she parked at the back of the lot. She and Todd live on faith and said they will get their cars into the shop at some point.
Kristie’s husband, Todd, works as a pastor and as a chaplain/counselor for the homeless shelter. Between the two of them, they are the most giving, all-loving and positive people. In Kristie’s locker at work there is a handwritten sign that says, “I love Jesus; therefore, I will: Be my best every day, speak the truth kindly, laugh at myself, and chart like Glenna.”
Secret Santa asked us to go visit Kristie at EIRMC and surprise her with an early Christmas gift. Watch the video above to see what happened!
