National Ski Patrol members are united by a commitment to service. Many of us devote time on our mountains, cross country trails, and single-track trails to help others stay and enjoy the outdoors. For some patrollers, that spirit of service extends beyond patrol assignments and into their professional careers in healthcare.
As a registered nurse and Nurse Manager at Rochester General Hospital, I have spent the last 14 years caring for patients and supporting clinical teams. When I joined the National Ski Patrol at Bristol Mountain in 2018, I discovered another outlet for serving my community. Balancing healthcare leadership and ski patrol responsibilities can be challenging. I have found that each role enhances the other.
Patrolling provides a unique opportunity to step away from the daily demands of healthcare administration while continuing to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. It creates connections with individuals from different professions and backgrounds, promotes physical activity, and reinforces many of the skills that healthcare providers use every day: critical thinking, teamwork, communication, emergency response, and compassion.
At a recent Rochester Regional Health Nursing Leadership meeting, our organization’s purpose was reaffirmed: “Uplift Humanity Through Care for Our Community.” That message prompted a discussion about the many healthcare professionals who volunteer their time outside of work to strengthen their communities. It quickly became clear that National Ski Patrol members represent an exceptional example of that commitment.
Across the Eastern Division and throughout the country, healthcare professionals serve as alpine patrollers, Nordic patrollers, bike patrollers, instructors, aid room personnel, or on-site physicians. These workers care for patients in hospitals, clinics, and emergency departments before spending their personal time helping injured guests, educating the public, and promoting outdoor safety. They demonstrate that community service does not end when a work shift is over. Their contributions enhance the quality of care available to the public while strengthening the patrols and communities they serve.
To recognize these efforts, Rochester Regional Health is exploring a campaign highlighting healthcare professionals who are also National Ski Patrol members. The goal is to celebrate individuals whose dedication to service extends both into their professions and onto the mountain, trail, or bike park.
If you are a healthcare professional and an NSP member, we would love to hear your story.
Please consider sharing:
• Your name and healthcare role
• Your healthcare organization
• Your NSP patrol and location
• A photo of you performing your NSP duties
Submissions and/or questions may be sent to:
Curtis Burtner, BSN, RN, PCCN
Nurse Manager, Rochester General Hospital
Email:
Phone: (585) 481-5586
Whether you care for patients in a hospital, clinic, ambulance, aid room, or on the mountain, thank you for your commitment to service. Your efforts exemplify the very best of both healthcare and the National Ski Patrol mission, and your story deserves to be shared.
“Service to the community is not defined by where we work, but by our willingness to help whenever and wherever we are needed.”
By Curtis Burtner, BSN, RN, PCCN
Nurse Manager, Rochester General Hospital
Alpine Patroller and Hill Chief, Bristol Mountain Ski Patrol
