ERTL, Nancy

ERTL, Nancy. (Cedar Rapids, IA, Aug. 12, 1937--Scottsdale, AZ, Nov. 11, 2015). Nancy graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1958 and later attended the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE. She was employed by MERCY MEDICAL CENTER from 1958 until 1987 serving in a variety of nursing leadership positions. Starting in the operating room, she became the Operating Room head nurse at the age of twenty-one and ultimately the department manager. While there, she was instrumental in establishing the hospital's first cardiac surgery department.

Nancy was privileged to be elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Operating Room Nurses in 1972 and was elected President in 1978. In 1987 Nancy joined MEDICAL ASSOCIATES CLINIC PC (THE) and in 2000 retired as Chief Operating Officer. She was a key part in the planning for Medical Associates West Campus. She enjoyed mentoring other nurses and helping them take on leadership and management positions.

In the early 1980s, Nancy and her good friend Sylvia Doyle of Houston, Texas founded Nursing Expertise in Software Design. The company developed software for computer systems in the operating room. Products included scheduling, inventory, utilization, quality assurance and patient care plans. They traveled extensively consulting with many hospitals and later sold the company to a large Tennessee firm.

Nancy contributed most of her success in business, golf, and entertaining to the support she received from her husband, Fred. They enjoyed traveling the world together in their business and professional roles with visits to Japan, Hong Kong, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

---

Source:

Obituaries. Dubuque Today. Online: http://www.dubuquetoday.com/obituaries.cfm#Nancy%20L.%20Ertl