KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A Cheshire Medical Center nurse known for her compassion and commitment to patients has been recognized with one of New Hampshire’s top healthcare honors.

Katelyn Voudren, RN, charge nurse in the hospital’s Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, has been named this year’s Monadnock Region recipient of the New Hampshire Healthcare Hero award. She officially received the honor on July 30 from the Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center.

The award was created in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight medical professionals who consistently go above and beyond in their roles.

Voudren was nominated by her nurse manager, Pamela Switzer, who praised her for her dedication to patients both inside and outside of the hospital setting. One example cited in her nomination described how Voudren arranged help for a post-surgery patient’s bedbound husband, ensuring his care while the patient recovered.

A nurse at Cheshire for nine years, Voudren said she finds meaning in helping people through what is often an anxious time. She began her career as a licensed nursing assistant and worked her way through nursing school as a single mother before becoming a registered nurse.

The recognition, she said, feels especially rewarding after her journey. “Life can be hectic and hard, but if you set your mind to something, you can do it,” Voudren said.