Denise Billadeau spent her career in places most patients never see. As a medical laboratory professional, she’s run results on day and overnight shifts, in busy hospitals and rural clinics. She knows that the work done out of sight is vital to doctors and nurses.

“It’s tough for doctors and nurses to do their jobs without all the results from the people working in the background,” said Denise. “Lab, x-ray, physical therapy, occupational, biomed — people don’t realize how important biomed is, keeping all our machines running. There’s a whole group of people nobody ever really sees, but the work is so important for the patient.”

That perspective shaped the gift she and Lynn made to help establish the Healthcare Careers Scholarship Endowment, which supports students from the region pursuing non-RN or LPN healthcare careers.

Denise understands the impact this can have from many angles. She has worked in the healthcare field and serves on the Trinity Health Foundation Board. She has worked in a rural clinic, an experience that showed her firsthand the difference between having care close by and having to travel for it.

For Denise, the cause is also personal. When her brother was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, she saw how much it matters to have advanced care close to home, and the importance of keeping high-quality healthcare workers local.

The scholarship focuses on local students because it’s an investment in the region’s future; a way to ensure excellent care remains available for generations to come. Local students tend to stick around, Denise notes, building careers and families in the communities that raised them.

“Their families and friends are here. Once they get into healthcare, they realize they’re making a difference for the people they love, caring for grandparents, parents and maybe their own family someday. When we can keep our kids local, it’s a win-win for all of us,” said Denise.

Keeping talent local is especially important because North Dakota faces a real shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in rural communities. Denise hopes the gift helps reverse that by giving students a reason to build their lives and careers here and by strengthening services across the region. The goal is to keep advanced care close, so families aren’t forced to travel long distances for treatment.

“It’s huge to sleep in your own bed every night while you are seeking care. Ask those going through daily radiation at the CancerCare Center. They will tell you they are thankful when they can drive back and forth every day and sleep in their own bed at night because that’s when the real healing starts,” said Denise.

That belief in keeping care close is part of what drew Denise to serve on the Trinity Health Foundation Board, where she’s seen firsthand how much work goes on behind the scenes. She points to the countless hours spent on grant writing and to the events and activities that bring the community together. “The Foundation team works really hard to fulfill their mission,” said Denise.

Getting the word out, she adds, is half the battle. Physicians often know what new equipment or technology can do for their patients, but the community has to come together to fund it. “It takes all of us. Knowledge is power.”

To anyone weighing a gift to the Foundation, big or small, Denise’s message is simple: “You may not realize the impact it has at that time, but the impact is always felt. All donations add up, and they all make a difference.”

She added, “Whatever stage of life you are in, giving is an investment in the future of your community’s health and your own family’s health. When we can introduce new technology or equipment, it’s important for our region and for the families and friends who might have to use it someday.”