Administrative director of Heart and Vascular Center at Blessing Hospital retires after 35 years

QUINCY — Debbie Heinecke, administrative director of the Heart and Vascular Center at Blessing Hospital, retired on April 23 after 35 years of service.

Heinecke’s career began as an emergency room nurse at the former St. Mary Hospital in Quincy. Her love of heart care began in 1982 when she joined the former Physicians and Surgeons Clinic in Quincy in cardiology. As part of that job, she worked in Blessing Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab. Heinecke rejoined St. Mary Hospital in 1985 working on the intermediate care unit. She joined Blessing Hospital in 1988 as a member of the cardiopulmonary department.

Heinecke’s entire Blessing career was spent in cardiology, including serving as a staff nurse in the cath lab and non-invasive cardiology, echosonographer, supervisor and manager. She assumed in 2012 the role of administrative director of the Blessing Hospital Heart and Vascular Center, the position from which she retired. Heinecke also served as the hospital’s chest pain center coordinator.

“Blessing Hospital helped me to grow into the nurse I was meant to be,” Heinecke said in a press release. “I was given so many opportunities to advance my education, skills and career, beyond what I had dreamt for myself.”

“There have been so many changes in the field of cardiology over these past 35 years, and it has been an honor to be part of this growth. I have met so many talented people and have developed lifelong friendships that I will cherish forever. I was able to find my passion and a job that I loved and called it work.”

Heinecke earned master and bachelor degrees in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing and her diploma in nursing from Graham Hospital School of Nursing in Canton, Ill. Heinecke is a board-certified nurse executive by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is a 1977 graduate of Brown County High School in Mount Sterling.