NEW Health Mourns the Loss of Beloved Nurse Practitioner Shirley Wagoner
It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Shirley Wagoner, ARNP, a devoted and compassionate nurse practitioner who served the NEW Health community with unwavering dedication for over a decade. Shirley passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, excellence in care, and deep human connection that will forever be remembered by her colleagues, patients, and the countless lives she touched.
For the past 10 years, Shirley was not just a valued member of the NEW Health team—she was family. She brought warmth, wisdom, and empathy into every interaction, whether she was comforting a patient during a difficult diagnosis, mentoring a new nurse practitioner, or volunteering her time for community health outreach programs. Her clinical skills were exemplary, but it was her heart—always open, always present—that truly defined her work.
Born with a calling to heal, Shirley began her career in nursing more than two decades ago. Her path eventually led her to become a certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), where she found her true passion: caring for patients in underserved rural communities. She believed healthcare was not a privilege but a right, and she fought tirelessly to ensure every person she treated felt heard, respected, and cared for.
Shirley was especially admired for her work in family medicine, where her holistic and patient-centered approach became a model for colleagues. She had an extraordinary ability to listen—to truly hear the concerns and fears of her patients—and she made each person feel like the most important individual in the room. To many, she was more than a provider; she was a confidante, an advocate, and often a lifeline.
Her passing leaves a tremendous void not only within NEW Health but throughout the wider community she so faithfully served. Tributes have poured in from patients and coworkers alike, each echoing the same message: Shirley Wagoner was a rare soul, full of compassion, strength, and integrity.
“She had this way of making you feel safe and cared for,” said one longtime patient. “Even when things were hard, Shirley was there—not just with treatment, but with a kind word, a gentle touch, and a deep sense of understanding.”
Her colleagues at NEW Health remember her as a cornerstone of their mission, a constant source of support, and a friend who always had time to listen, to laugh, and to lift others up. “Shirley was a guiding light in our organization,” one staff member shared. “She cared not just for her patients’ physical health, but for their entire well-being. We are all better people and providers because we had the privilege to work alongside her.”
In her personal life, Shirley was a dedicated mother, wife, and friend. She loved nature, gardening, quiet walks, and moments of reflection with those she held dear. Her compassion and strength at work were matched only by her tenderness and love at home. She was a person of deep faith, grace, and humility, always giving, never asking for anything in return.
Plans are being made to honor Shirley’s life and legacy with a memorial service that will be open to the public. NEW Health is also organizing a commemorative tribute, including a scholarship fund in her name for aspiring nurses and medical professionals who embody her spirit of service and compassion.
While Shirley Wagoner may no longer be with us in body, her spirit will forever remain a part of the NEW Health community. Her memory lives on in every patient she comforted, every colleague she mentored, and every act of kindness she offered without hesitation. She taught us what it means to serve with heart, to lead with humility, and to live a life of purpose.