Bilingual Nurse Noemi Golden Wins Never Quit Service Award in Illinois

Bilingual Nurse's Dedication Recognized with Prestigious Service Award

Growing up in a bilingual household, Noemi Golden often found herself navigating between two worlds: the Spanish spoken at home and the English of the outside community. Today, this dual fluency is a key asset in her role as a registered nurse at the Madison County Health Department in Illinois, where she plays a pivotal role in the communicable diseases and sexually transmitted diseases programs.

Golden's language skills are a lifeline for many Spanish-speaking patients who come in for testing, exams, and follow-ups. Her ability to communicate in their native tongue helps alleviate the anxiety often associated with these visits, particularly those related to STDs. "I try to ease the anxiety and embarrassment that many people feel when they come in, especially for an STD," Golden explains. "I like to tell them that it’s okay, there’s nothing to be ashamed of."

Colleague Bobbie Tetidrick, also a registered nurse, frequently depends on Golden to assist with Spanish-speaking patients. She notes, "Noemi goes the extra mile to make sure she can be the nurse for every Spanish-speaking person that walks in needing assistance, so they feel more comfortable getting the care they came to get."

This commitment to her community and her profession has earned Golden the Never Quit Service Award, presented by AFSCME Local 799 (Council 31) to public service workers who consistently go above and beyond for their communities.

Golden's drive to serve others is deeply personal, inspired by her three children: Isaac, Kylee, and Shayna. She believes in treating every family she encounters with dignity and respect, saying, "When families come in and they don’t speak the language, you feel for them, because they’re just as human as everyone else and they deserve to be treated the same as everyone. We don’t know their story. The point is they’re here and they need help."