The Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard recently recognized Miriam “Mim” Meyer, a patient of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, for her compassionate service to nursing.

Dressed in traditional and historical uniforms comprised of a blue and red cape, white dress and cap, the Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard recognizes nurses for their commitment to caring and providing compassion to patients. The ceremony highlights a nurse’s career and individual achievements. In addition to a plaque, Meyer also received a Florence Nightingale pin in honor of her long and excellent service to the community. 

“We are recognizing Miriam to commemorate her service as a nurse and a leader,” said Debbie Meadows, RN, director of Clinical Services at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “We are honoring her for a lifetime of service to the welfare of our community through nursing.”

Meyer graduated from the School of Nursing at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, with a bachelor’s degree in 1955. Nursing was a calling for Meyer. She worked in Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Ohio. Much of her career was spent in public health nursing. She spent 15 years as a nurse in the Akron and Barberton communities. 

Meyer became a school nurse for the Rittman City Schools for 16 years. She was a pioneer in educating 5th and 6th graders as she taught family life classes with a Christian emphasis in a public school. She enjoyed working with children and loved working alongside her husband who also taught in the Rittman City Schools. 

Meyer also spent some time serving as a nurse at Smithville Western Retirement Center. She retired after serving as a nurse at the Dunlap Physicians Group in Orrville. She also used her nursing abilities in service to her family, providing caregiving for her parents and her husband’s parents. 

Meyer’s daughter, Mary Wiebe, followed in her mother’s footsteps as a nurse. “As Mom so compassionately and lovingly carried out her tasks and responsibilities, one never heard a demeaning word pass through her lips,” Wiebe said. “She was a true encourager, lifting up all who had the blessing of crossing paths with her.”

Wiebe described how her mother made all who met her feel loved, accepted and valued, especially those who were less fortunate. 

“Seeing Mom’s immense satisfaction with her career pointed me to nursing,” Wiebe said. “My daughter, Kelly, also chose nursing as her career. It’s been a joy and an honor to join this living legacy of nursing, which my mother began in 1955.”

Meadows praised Meyer for her service. “It is with the greatest respect that we present this plaque and this pin in honor of the remarkable and selfless service of Miriam Meyer, RN,” she said. “We’re honored and privileged to recognize her.” 

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, a not-for-profit organization established in 1982, is an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice that serves communities in Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina counties. It embodies the spirit of neighbors caring for neighbors with a commitment to relieve suffering, ease fears, and provide companionship along life’s last journey. Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare addresses patient and family needs wherever the patient calls home. Services also include access to the Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion, providing short-term patient care to manage acute symptoms, adjust medications, or stabilize patient condition.