Why I Came, Why I Stayed: For 40 years, Methodist Hospital has been Dee Dee Leinen’s family away from home

In “Why I Came, Why I Stayed,” you’ll get to know people who are making a difference every day at Methodist and how they contribute to providing The Meaning of Care.

Dee Dee Leinen, BSN, RN
Core Coordinator for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Methodist Hospital

Tell us more about yourself and your background.

I graduated from the Jennie Edmundson School of Nursing in May 1984. No one was hiring at the time, so I applied to go back to school to get my Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and was accepted. In the meantime, I got married in August of that year. When I returned home from my honeymoon, I got a call from a high school friend who said Methodist was hiring. I interviewed with Toddy Madson and Terri Micheels, got the job and started in September. Jennie Edmundson (which wasn’t yet part of Methodist) called me about a month into my orientation and asked if I would interview. I told them I was staying with Methodist even though I knew Jennie Edmundson well. I then declined going back to school. 

I worked in Coronary Care Unit until spring of 1991 and moved to Pulmonary Rehabilitation (which was a new program at Methodist), working two 12-hour shifts. During my time there, I’ve worn many hats – outpatient pulmonary rehab staff and inpatient pulmonary rehab. In 2009, I was asked to lead our team and gained the title core coordinator along with my staff duties in the outpatient area. In 2022, I handed over my outpatient duties to be able to be the coordinator full time. 

I went back to school and received my BSN from Nebraska Methodist College in 2013. 

What is it about Methodist that keeps you coming back?

I love the job of helping patients get back to normalcy and have quality of life. It’s a happy place to work. It’s been my family away from home these past 40 years. I’ve traveled 60 miles one way to work all these years. I truly can say I love coming to work to make a difference and help patients and staff accomplish their goals. 

I love the culture at Methodist. The Meaning of Care speaks for itself. I feel our patients do come first. We’re always striving to give them the best care they deserve. I love the fact that our bypass patients are able to come in for their pre-op teaching, then we see them in inpatient, and then again in the outpatient area. The continuum of care is so important.

Methodist is always trying to keep up with innovation. It follows the research and offers education to the staff so they, too, can keep up with the guidelines. I love that Methodist is a Magnet hospital, and we strive for the best for patients, families and staff. 

Do you have any favorite Methodist memories?

One of my most memorable moments is when I received The DAISY Award. This meant a lot to me, and I do try to go above the call of duty to help. Working in the special care pavilion many years ago also led to many fond memories. This is where I learned my critical thinking skills, and those nurses are very near and dear to my heart, as well. I’ve spent most of my time in cardiopulmonary rehab, and I’m proud of the work we do here. We have been one of the largest programs in the metro area after all these years. 

What should people know about Methodist?

When you’re a patient here, you’re a person, and we care that you receive quality care. We are The Meaning of Care.