Veteran Salute: Her passion in nursing took her down a path she never would've expected

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The people on the front line of duty and battle are always the first to be recognized - but what about the ones taking care of them when wounded?

In this week’s veteran salute, we meet one veteran who got to live out her dream of being a nurse while serving the country. 

Born and raised Topeka resident, Barbara Stevenson always knew her passion for taking care of others would lead to a career in nursing. But what she never would’ve imagined was being a nurse in the army and taking care of soldiers around the world. 

“My father was working hard to put us through college," Stevenson said. "So, I decided that I would look into joining the military. I wanted to be an Air Force nurse, but unfortunately, the Air Force didn't have a student nurse program. So, I joined the army in November, November 1970, 69, 1969, and I was a second lieutenant during my junior and senior year, and they paid for my college tuition and my room and board.”

Stevenson spent over 30 years being a part of the army. One of her deployments was to Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm.

As a part of the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) that consisted of physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, pharmacists, radiology, physical therapy, and dental professionals, they had to build a hospital. And for Stevenson, that is where she gained her proudest moments 

“I'm most proud of was that when we were called to active duty and mobilized to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, we set up a 400-bed hospital, and we took 400 people, and we brought 400 people back," Stevenson said. "And to me, that says it all. That, you know, the fact that I was part of that.”

For the AMEDD staff they were trained to care for the wounded regardless of race, color, or creed. 

As for Stevenson, although retired from the army, she finds herself doing things she loves with the people she loves. Not originally what she had in mind for herself at 18 years old, just starting college, Stevenson says it was an honor to serve and wouldn’t change it for anything. 

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