NURSE: Michaela Edwards, RN
EMPLOYER: Vance Thompson Vision
NURSING PROGRAM: University of South Dakota
FOCUS: Ophthalmology
YEARS OF SERVICE: 21
Michaela Edwards, Vance Thompson Vision.
From an early age, Michaela Edwards saw the impact a nurse could have through her grandmother, who worked at a veterans hospital in South Dakota and was one of the kindest people she knew.
That influence stayed with her as she moved from high school directly into nursing school, graduating from the University of South Dakota and beginning a career that has now spanned more than two decades.
“I’ve always been motivated by her and wanted to follow in her footsteps,” Edwards said.
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Edwards began her career as a medical-surgical nurse, building a strong foundation in patient care while working long shifts, weekends and holidays. As her family grew, she began to reevaluate what balance looked like and eventually transitioned into ophthalmology — a move that allowed her to continue caring for patients while working a more consistent schedule.
That path ultimately led her to Vance Thompson Vision, where she now serves as ambulatory surgery center director.
In her current role, Edwards oversees daily operations, supports her team and ensures patients receive high-quality care from start to finish.
While her role today is primarily leadership-focused, Edwards says what motivates her most is seeing the immediate impact of the care her team provides.
“I love my team and the patient outcomes that we get to see every day after surgery,” Edwards said. “Some patients come in and haven’t been able to see for months or years, and after surgery, it’s overwhelming for them to start seeing faces again or colors.”
At the surgery center, Edwards and her team perform procedures such as cataract and glaucoma surgeries, as well as corneal transplants — often helping restore vision in a matter of minutes. That transformation is what makes the work especially meaningful.
“I try to relate to the patients,” Edwards said. “They’re coming in and it’s a stressful situation much of the time, so I try to calm their nerves and be an advocate for them.”
Over time, she says her confidence has grown significantly — something she remembers lacking early in her career.
“I think any new nurse is insecure, lacks confidence and doubts themselves,” Edwards said. “The more comfortable you get in your role, you start to grow into it.”
For Edwards, that growth is paired with a simple but meaningful philosophy she carries into both her work and her life — one she shares at home with her husband, who is also a nurse.
“Show compassion,” Edwards said. “Even small acts of kindness make a difference. You never know what someone is going through, and everyone deserves that kindness.”
