Jen Wickham grew up on a farm near Liberty, Nebraska. She graduated from Wymore Southern in 2006, Hastings College in 2010, Creighton University School of Nursing in 2011, and Creighton University’s Doctor of Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Program in 2015. Her and her husband, Garrett, moved to Red Cloud in 2018 where Wickham has been employed as a nurse practitioner with the Webster County Clinic. Wickham is pictured above with coworkers Dr. Michelle Durr and physical therapist Marissa Petsch (DPT)

What is your favorite thing about Red Cloud?

I have always loved small towns, and having been raised on a farm I knew there was no better place to live and raise a family. I would have to say my favorite thing about Red Cloud is how everyone is always willing to help one another. You don’t always see that in bigger towns/cities.

You took a job at the Webster County Community Hospital in 2018. What do you like best about working there? How did they convince you to move to Red Cloud?

What I like best about working there is no day is alike--there is always something new and I continue to learn something new every day. I also get a good mix of different medical conditions working both the clinic side and the emergency room. They didn’t have to convince me to move here too hard. I knew that I wanted to be in a small town and so did my husband…plus the fact he is closer to his hometown in Kansas is a huge bonus. It is actually closer to both of our hometowns than where we were before, which is nice.

I have always loved small towns, and having been raised on a farm I knew there was no better place to live and raise a family.

What are some of your favorite businesses to shop at in Red Cloud? Why?

For a small town this is a hard question to answer because I can’t name just one. I would have to say Fat Fox's and On the Brix are great eating places. Also, Juan’s Tacos is amazing. Of course, Subway comes in clutch on the nights I don’t feel like cooking and there is always Hometown Market and the great variety of food they have. The Corner Nook and Riverwood Bakery have become my guilty pleasure/bad habit stops and I mean bad habits because I have yet to have one bad tasting treat from either place!

Is there anything you wish people knew about you?

I have not told many people but last year I joined the National Guard and serve as a nurse practitioner in the medical detachment unit once a month. I really enjoy this and feel that it is my way of giving back to my country, which is something I have always wanted to do.

I joined the National Guard and serve as a nurse practitioner in the medical detachment unit once a month. I really enjoy this and feel that it is my way of giving back to my country, which is something I have always wanted to do.

What’s the last show you binge-watched? What do you like about it?

The last show I binge-watched was Breaking Bad. I loved this show because it was about a high school science teacher who literally does whatever he has to in order make sure his family is provided for after he receives a terminal diagnosis. It made me stop and think that people will go to the ends of the earth to sacrifice for their family and I think that is what sort of got me hooked on the show.

If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?

If I could have one superpower, I think it would be the ability to fly.

Do you have any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?

My hobbies and interests include hiking national parks, traveling, reading books about World War II, turkey hunting with my husband, and antiquing.

Do you have any pets?

We have a Ragdoll cat named Winston.

The Hospital/Webster County Clinic have been actively engaged in the community recently. What is inspiring all of this activity? Out of all of the events the Hospital/Clinic has organized recently, what has been your favorite and why?

What has inspired all of this recent activity is the goal of building a new facility to better serve the community, and people of Webster County. I also know there are services we are hoping to bring back to our community, including mammogram and ultrasound capability. Out of all of the events the hospital has organized, I would have to say my favorite has been the BBQ. I did not know we had so many individuals in this community that could cook. We have some talented people within this community that definitely put my BBQ skills/cooking to shame.

What would your high school teachers or guidance counselor say about you if we asked?

If asked, my high school teachers would tell you I was always goal oriented.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the life my husband and I have built. I am also proud of my educational accomplishments because education has always been important to me and I have worked extremely hard to get where I am at today.

Do you have a mantra or mission statement you live by?

“Biting off more than you can chew means you’d rather choke on greatness, than nibble on mediocrity.” I try to remind myself of this daily by going above and beyond in all that I do.

What historical figure or celebrity would you most like to have dinner with? Why?

Man, this is a hard one. There are so many people I wish I could have had the chance to meet….especially historical figures because I love history. I guess I would have to say I would most like to have dinner with a Holocaust survivor. I find WW2 and the Holocaust absolutely fascinating. I can not even begin to imagine some of the things the Jewish people had to endure and still be able to survive even the most unfathomable of conditions. Even after all of the documentaries and books I have read about the Holocaust I still can’t even begin to wrap my mind around what it took to survive those conditions, and truly how evil mankind can be. It is scary to think that humans are capable of such disaster.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to relocate to rural Nebraska?

My advice would be if you want a slower paced life then rural Nebraska is the place to be. I would also say it’s a great place to raise a family and people are always willing to help out when someone is in need. You don’t always get that in a bigger town.

I love going home and being out in the country around the farm animals. Nothing beats home for me. You can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl 😊

What is your favorite song and/or recording artist?

My favorite recording artist is AC/DC.

What is your dream vacation?

I have too many to name but currently my next vacation is hopefully hiking Patagonia and Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.

What’s your favorite place to visit in Nebraska?

My favorite place to visit in Nebraska is my parent’s farm where I grew up. I love going home and being out in the country around the farm animals. Nothing beats home for me. You can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl 😊

Who has been the biggest influence in your life? Explain why.

My parents have been my biggest influence. My dad served in the military for almost 40 years and I always found his commitment and dedication to his country admirable. He never did anything half way. It was all or nothing with him. My mom is also a huge influence in my life, putting her career dreams on hold to raise me and my two brothers. Most times when my dad was away on military duty or when he was deployed my mom was a single mother. I always admired her ability to make being a mother so easy, and never complaining.