For many, balancing a high-level leadership role with family and personal commitments is a full plate. But for our Chief Nursing Officer, the desire to give back to her community sparked a remarkable journey—from bedside nursing to battling blazes as a firefighter.
Three years ago, she joined Riverwood Healthcare Center as Chief Nursing Officer, bringing with her decades of experience. Her nursing journey started as a Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR), progressing through roles as an LPN, RN, and ultimately earning her master’s degree in nursing. She gained extensive experience at St. Cloud CentraCare and St. Gabriel’s in Little Falls, where she managed Surgical Services before stepping into the leadership role as Vice President of Patient Care.
But leadership meant stepping away from direct patient care, something she deeply missed. So, when she saw an advertisement for emergency medical responders with her local fire department, she saw an opportunity to combine her skills and civic duty.
“Being part of the fire department is a responsibility and a privilege,” she says. “I wanted to be involved in my community and help in any way I could.”
Her journey began with a conversation with Fire Chief Bruce, who introduced her to the dual roles of emergency medical responder and firefighter. Initially, she joined the department as a medical responder, but her first fire call left her feeling helpless. “I was there to observe and provide care if needed, but I couldn’t actively help with the fire. That’s when I decided to join the firefighting team.”
The training was rigorous—four months of classes twice a week and one Sunday per month, followed by national certification exams in biohazard response, Fire 1, and Fire 2. Even after passing, she couldn’t join live burns until completing specialized live burn training, which she just recently finished.
Now, as a fully qualified firefighter, she responds to medical and fire calls, dedicating at least 40 hours monthly to training, maintenance, and emergency responses.
“Your instincts tell you to leave the fire, but the training teaches you to go in and face it. You also learn the critical decision-making skills to know when it’s safe and when it’s not.” comments Zupko.
Her life is a testament to perseverance and balancing multiple roles. While raising her children—Cole, now 36, and Maura, 28—she pursued her nursing education as an adult. Today, she and her husband Bill, married for 37 years, live in Garrison, cherishing time with their grandchildren, Leela and Hawk.
For her, firefighting is “fun, exciting, and rewarding.” It’s also a way to reconnect with hands-on care, blending her expertise as a nurse with her passion for community service.
“I’ve spent years leading teams and improving patient care, but firefighting lets me directly help people in their moments of greatest need. It’s an incredible way to give back.”
Her story inspires us all, showcasing how leadership, service, and personal growth can ignite meaningful change in our communities.