45 Years of Care: Sue Wiersgalla's Story of Dedication and Teamwork

Sue’s passion for healthcare ignited at age 12 when she witnessed her grandmother suffer a medical emergency at home. Despite the quick actions of her mother, who was a nurse, and a firefighter relative, her grandmother succumbed to a pulmonary embolism.

“I would never wish that upon anybody because that’s a hard thing to see. But witnessing it pushed me—it made me want to follow a career where I could help someone in a medical emergency,” Wiersgalla said.

Inspired by this personal tragedy, Sue’s dedicated 45 years to helping patients in critical moments. From H1N1 to COVID-19, she has faced every challenge with resilience, relying on teamwork to ensure quality care.

That teamwork extends to US Med-Equip’s ASAP Asset Management team, led by Maqsud Yasin.

“We have a care briefing every morning, and Mack is always there, jumping in with answers like he’s part of the family,” Sue said.

Sue relies on USME’s team to ensure equipment is cleaned and patient ready, especially during hospital census spikes. During a recent surge of COVID, influenza, and RSV, North Memorial was at capacity. Mack’s team responded quickly, securing G5 ventilators and ensuring critical equipment was available.

“They have always been there for our department, getting us the emergent equipment we need,” Sue said. “USME’s partnership has been valuable and come to our rescue. The partnership and great teamwork of our two teams have given the best possible care to our patients. I know I can always count on them.”

To keep up with demand, Mack’s team increased their hospital rounds to every 30–45 minutes, reinforcing their commitment to patient care.

“The attitude and understanding that Sue brings to the hospital every day makes an incredible impact on both the staff and the patients,” Mack says. “As a leader, Sue is always looking ahead for the hospital and the patients she serves, making sure they are always best equipped to save lives. When it comes to her care, she always puts the patients first.”

Sue’s story is one of dedication, heart, and the profound impact of collaboration in healthcare. Through her leadership and the support of USME’s ASAP Asset Management program, she continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of her patients.