Health Care Heroes 2025 S3
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 Kearney Hub www.kearneyhub.com
Making a Difference in Every Role: Mariah Curtis’s Journey Through Healthcare
MARIAH CURTIS | CHI HEALTH GOOD SAMARITAN
Mariah Curtis has built an impressive and deeply impactful career in healthcare, marked by grit, grace, and a passion for helping others in their most critical moments. From her beginnings as a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2016 to her current roles as an Emergency Room
Mariah is also intentional about giving herself permission to feel. “It took me time to realize it’s okay to not be okay all the time. I’ve learned to give myself grace and allow space for my emotions. That’s part of how I stay grounded.” Her professional scope is as broad as it is demanding. In one week, she might fly in a patient suffering from a traumatic injury, assist in surgery on their fractured bones, and weeks later, see them walk out of the hospital fully recovered. “That’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” Mariah says. “Being able to see a patient go from barely surviving to thriving is something I’ll never take for granted. Sometimes they even come back to visit months or years later, just to say thank you. That’s when you really see the long-term impact of what we do.” Mariah’s motivation to pursue a career in healthcare began in her small Nebraska home - town. While job shadowing during high school, she watched nurses take care of people she knew—neighbors, classmates, even friends’ family members—and was deeply moved by their compassion and skill. “They seemed like superheroes to me,” she says. “They were hands-on, using their knowledge and training to make a real, tangible difference. I knew I wanted to be a part of that.” Still, nothing could fully prepare her for the challenges the profession would bring. “This job is so much harder than I ever expected,” she admits. “It pushes me mentally, physically, and emotionally every single day. But despite the difficulty, I’m proud— proud of the work I do, the patients I help, and the lives I’ve touched.” One moment that will forever stand out in her career was the day she first put on her AirCare flight suit. “That was a huge milestone for me. I had spent so much time studying, shadowing experienced flight nurses, and perfecting my skills. Putting on that flight suit was a visual reminder that all the hard work had paid off. I was living the dream I’d worked so hard for.” When asked what advice she would offer to
someone considering a career in healthcare, Mariah doesn’t hesitate. “Do it. Absolutely do it,” she says. “It is one of the most rewarding professions out there. You get to change lives, sometimes save them, and you grow so much as a person in the process. The beauty of healthcare is how many options there are. You can work in emergency medicine, surgery, radiology, critical care—whatever suits you. And if one area doesn’t feel like the right fit,
there’s always another path to explore. The opportunities are endless.” Mariah Curtis is a testament to the heart, skill, and dedication it takes to thrive in healthcare. Through every flight, every shift, and every patient interaction, she brings compassion, capability, and courage to the bedside—and the sky.
Mariah Curtis
Nurse Practitioner, Orthopedic Surgery NP, and AirCare Flight Nurse, Mariah’s journey reflects not only professional excellence but a personal commitment to service and healing. Working in emergency medicine and trauma care, Mariah is often one of the first medical professionals on the scene. As a flight nurse and EMS responder, she regularly encounters high-stress, high-stakes situations—ones that most people might only witness in television dramas. “There are definitely emotionally challenging parts of this job,” she explains. “Being first on the scene means you witness not just the condition of the patient, but also the reactions of family members and bystand- ers. It can be incredibly overwhelming.” While Mariah is highly trained and composed in the moment, she notes that the emotional weight of her work doesn’t always show up right away. “Usually, the emotional toll doesn’t hit until after everything is done and the adrenaline has faded. That’s when the impact settles in.” Yet over the years, she has developed healthy ways to cope with the mental and emotional demands. She leans on physical activity like working out to clear her mind, surrounds herself with supportive friends and loved ones, and makes time to travel when she can. One of her greatest sources of strength, however, is her team. “I’m incredibly lucky to have amazing coworkers who go through these experiences with me. They’re always there when I need someone to talk to. Having that support network makes a huge difference.”
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