Knoxville, Iowa – Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (KHC) is proud to announce that Registered Nurses (RN) Amanda Phillips and Deb Lefler have been chosen and recognized as two of the 2025 Great Iowa Nurses.
Amanda has been a nurse for 11 years, working her way from a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to RN. Working in the Emergency Department for most of her 11 years at KHC, Amanda enjoys the opportunity given to her to also work in the Specialty Clinics doing all the nursing things that she loves.
“I have a passion for caring for others and bedside nursing is my favorite kind of nursing,” shared Amanda. This recognition is so heartwarming. I am so blessed to have great coworkers who think so highly of me. I am incredibly surprised and flattered that I was nominated!”
Prior to her retirement in December, Deb served as an RN at KHC for 36 years. Throughout the years she worked primarily in the Emergency Department, but also served as an evening shift supervisor and assisted with the recovery of patients having cataract surgery in the Surgery Department.
“I am very proud of Amanda and Deb for their years of dedication to caring for patients and improving the health of the people and communities we serve,” said Kevin Kincaid, KHC Chief Executive Officer. “They are both excellent nurses and I am very happy that they have been publicly recognized for the important role they hold in our organization.”
The program, formerly 100 Great Iowa Nurses, annually honors Iowa nurses for their contributions to the nursing profession. A committee of individuals from various health care organizations across Iowa reviews nominations for the honor. Great Iowa Nurses are chosen based on demonstrated service to patients, leadership, and mentoring, or serving as a role model.
The Great Iowa Nurses program asks patients, co-workers, friends, and family members to nominate outstanding nurses for recognition each year. After a two-part review process, Great Iowa Nurses are honored at an annual ceremony.
In addition to recognizing outstanding nurses, the Great Iowa Nurses program provides financial support to nursing students in MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. programs.
A virtual ceremony will occur later this year to recognize the 2025 honorees.
100 Great Iowa Nurses was established in 2004 and hosted by the University of Iowa until 2020. In 2022, with the support of Mary Greeley Medical Center, the program was revived and renamed Great Iowa Nurses.
Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is a non-profit community hospital serving Marion County and the surrounding area. Named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital, KHC’s highly skilled medical staff and specialists provide personal, compassionate, and innovative quality health care to patients. For more information regarding this release and other happenings at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics, call the Public Relations Department at (641) 842-1418.
