2026 Nurse Appreciation Week: Meet Lauri Feralio with Vance Thompson Vision

EMPLOYER: Westpark Village

NURSING PROGRAM: Carroll College

FOCUS: Geriatrics

YEARS OF SERVICE: 30

At just three years old, Lauri Feralio was already trying to care for others.

When her grandfather was very ill, she walked into his room with a pack of Life Savers, telling him she could make him better — a moment her family still talks about today.

“For me, it’s always felt like a calling,” Feralio said.

For Feralio, nursing wasn’t something she discovered later — it was something she always felt called to do. After graduating from high school, she went straight into nursing school at Carroll College in Helena, working as a certified nursing assistant while she was in school to gain hands-on experience.

From the very beginning, she knew exactly where she wanted to focus. While many of her classmates were unsure, she was certain she wanted to work in geriatrics — a decision that would shape her entire career.

“I was the only one in my class who had any interest in it,” Feralio said.

Feralio built her career across several senior living communities, advancing from a floor nurse into leadership roles over the years. Today, she serves as director of nursing at Westpark Village.

Her work starts well before a resident ever moves in — meeting with families, assessing needs and helping guide them through what can be a major transition. But even with the administrative responsibilities, the heart of her job hasn’t changed.

“What gets me up in the morning is seeing the residents,” Feralio said. “Getting to know their stories and their families — they really become part of your life.”

With nearly 200 residents, she takes pride in knowing each person by name — something she sees as a simple but meaningful way to build connection and trust.

That sense of connection extends beyond her day-to-day role. For years, her husband served as the community’s chaplain, and for a time, their son also worked in the dining area — creating an environment where both her professional and personal life were closely intertwined.

Throughout her career, Feralio has also had the opportunity to take part in meaningful experiences outside of her regular responsibilities, including participating in nine Honor Flights, accompanying World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials built in their honor.

“Those were incredible experiences,” Feralio said.

She still misses bedside care and, when she can, steps in to work alongside her staff — a chance to reconnect with residents and focus solely on their needs.

That perspective also shapes how she leads. Early in her career, strong mentors helped guide her development, and she now works to provide that same support to others — especially new nurses and caregivers.

“We can teach skills,” Feralio said. “But we can’t teach compassion.”

For Feralio, that belief defines her approach to care and leadership alike — treating every resident as if they were part of her own family.