Debbie Woirhaye, director of nursing services, retires after 17 years from the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg. Her last day will be Feb. 15., according to a Missouri Veterans Home press release.

A retirement reception will be held for her at 2 p.m., Feb. 15, in the chapel of the Missouri Veterans Home.

She became a registered nurse when she graduated from State Fair Community College in 1995. While she was working in Clinton, Missouri, Marvin Neal and Nancy Anderson, both of Warrensburg, were working hard to establish the West Central Missouri Veterans Assistance League. They had one goal: to have a Veterans Home built in Warrensburg.

“I heard they were going to build a Veterans Home. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be built in Clinton or Warrensburg, but I knew I wanted to interview,” Woirhaye said. “I knew at that time that I loved long-term care and that it was my passion.”

VAL helped guide lobbying efforts and in June 1998, groundbreaking ceremonies were held in Warrensburg at 1300 Veterans Rd., to begin work on the home. Woirhaye interviewed for the position of day-shift charge nurse in summer of 2000. She started working at the Missouri Veterans Home on July 10, 2000.

She was one of two charges nurses, compared to the 26 they have today. They also only had two certified nursing assistants. Prior to admitting the first veteran in September 2000, they had a lot of work to do. They had to figure out how to set everything up from the neighborhoods to the furniture. When the first veteran was admitted, there was only one neighborhood open: Whispering Hills. When families came in to visit, veterans got to pick which room they wanted to live in.

“We didn’t do admissions as fast as we do these days. We only admitted one veteran like every two weeks,” she said.

Woirhaye became the unit manager for Pleasant Valley, the Alzheimer’s and neighborhood, in November of 2000. She later became the second staff development coordinator; less than two years after she started working at the home. When the Director of Nursing Services position came open she was encouraged by co-workers and the administrator to apply for the position.

“There was a good support system and I felt like I could make a difference,” said Woirhaye. “I cared so much about our veterans who were here. I just fell in love with this place.”

She was promoted to Director of Nursing Services on June 16, 2002.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor to spend the last 17 years of my nursing career serving the veterans at one of the best Veterans Homes in the country. I’ll miss the day-to-day contact with staff and veterans. I know the Veterans Home will continue to prosper. They have a great team,” said Woirhaye. “I couldn’t have done my job as director of nursing services all of these years without the wonderful support of the amazing staff. I want to thank all of them for giving me the opportunity to achieve success while serving in the DNS role.”

She also credits the veterans for her success.

“In this role, there are going to be bad days and good days. I always remember why I am here. I’m here for the veterans to honor and serve them. On the bad days, I go sit down and visit a veteran. It makes my day better,” she said.

She realizes the younger certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses have a difficult job ahead of them.

“They need to be caring and compassionate to our veterans. They need to realize this is more than a job, it’s a second family. Treat the veterans like they are family. Yes, you are going to get attached to them, you will lose them, they capture your heart but you will always remember them.”

Medena Draffen, a unit manager at the home, said she will miss Woirhaye because of the great example she is to others but wishes her the best in her retirement.

“Debbie leads straight from her heart which makes her an amazing boss and leader for the nursing department.  She will leave a legacy of love for our veterans and passion for their quality nursing cares. Her shoes will be very hard to fill,” said Draffen.

Woirhaye plans to do some traveling and spend time with family and friends. Her first trip will be to Texas to spoil her grandson. She also has booked a trip to Hawaii.

“There are those long days when you think, why did I get into this position? Then at the end of the day, I know why. I wouldn’t want to be any place else because of all of the support here at this home,” Woirhaye said.