Profiles in Leadership

This page will periodically feature a different graduate of the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program. The focus of this page is what the Program's graduates are currently doing and the long-term effect WRLP has had on their lives.

Sheri Fanning Helps Others after Hurricane Katrina

Sheri Fanning, RN, (Group 9) recently went to a San Antonio, Texas Children’s Home to provide temporary care for children with special needs and frail elderly affected by Hurricane Katrina. Sheri had to quickly raise $1500 for travel expenses in order to volunteer in Texas. She noted, “had I not had the opportunities that I had with the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program, I do not know that I could have done it.”

Sheri noted she went to Texas, “with all the skills and courage that I learned from WRLP.”

When Sheri arrived at her site, coordination was minimal. “We had enough donated medical supplies to set up a hospital, but no one was taking charge to gain order over the chaos.” Sheri quickly rallied several other nurses and volunteers, set up processes for care and infection control, created a simple charting system, and assigned tasks for other evacuees to do so they could contribute to the shelter work, too.

FEMA representatives were impressed with Sheri’s quick leadership and effective effort. They asked Sheri to assist at the shelter with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Center for Disease Control (CDC) activities, too. Sheri worked with “3-star” Mexican Army generals, physicians & nurse volunteers to interview evacuees or assess for the evacuee’s needed next steps.  Sheri commented, “It was exciting to work with these officials. I surprised myself at how easy it was to do what had to be done. I feel lucky to have had this opportunity. The days were long, often from 6am-10pm, but I just decided to do what I could, wherever I could, for as long as they needed me.”

Sheri credited the WRLP experience for her success in Texas: “It’s what I learned in ‘Rural Leadership’ that has helped me here…making good decisions, working through problems, knowing how to conduct myself with diverse groups, knowing when to exert myself and when to step back and let others lead in a different way. Having gone through  WRLP made all the difference.”

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