Nicole Dudley

Hometown: New Albany

Education: Indiana University Southeast 

Occupation: Nikki is a realtor with The Stiller Group, Schuler Bauer Real Estate Services. As a realtor, she meets the families who are looking to make Southern Indiana their home, and she takes pride in knowing that she can help offer a better future for her own hometown.

Why did you chose to get involved with Baptist Health?

It only took one moment for Nikki Dudley to move from being a proud supporter to a grateful patient at Baptist Health Floyd. As a new board member for Baptist Health Foundation Floyd, Nikki attended an event where the Foundation introduced new surgical robots. The technology is leading edge and could dramatically improve surgical care. Within days, doctors used one of those robots to remove her rupturing appendix.

During her time as a patient, Nikki experienced compassionate, competent care. She was back in action just a few days later, full of a greater appreciation for Baptist Health and the direct benefits of a dedicated hospital foundation.

Even before her emergency experience, Nikki had a commitment to Baptist Health. She’d seen the intentional care her grandparents had been given during heart bypass surgeries and in their last days of life. When Nikki couldn’t imagine leaving her grandmother’s bedside at night, it was her grandmother’s favorite nurse who convinced her that she could rest knowing that all would be well.

Though the passings of her grandparents were sad events, her family felt seen, heard, cared for and served throughout the experiences. Naturally, she wanted to be involved in that kind of community care.

It was a natural decision to join the Foundation’s Board and begin giving, because Nikki was born and raised in New Albany. She married her high school sweetheart and they are raising their twins in the area. She’s always loved the idea of investing in her own community. “I feel really passionate about this community,” Nikki said. “This is my hometown. I was born and raised here. My family still lives here. I want to see our hometown provide for my family, friends and children.”

As a realtor, she meets the families who are looking to make Southern Indiana their home, and she takes pride in knowing that she can help offer a better future for her own hometown. She knows that as the Foundation grows, it can increase Baptist Health Floyd’s technology and resources, which will attract quality medical professionals, who will improve patient experiences, which will result in a thriving, healthy community for those who have always lived there and for those looking to make their home in Floyd County.

Nikki is most excited about seeing Baptist Health offer centralized, holistic care. She knows that each medical incident requires follow-up and additional input, so she loves the idea that the whole person can be treated and cared for in one location. And even though her stint as a patient was unexpected, she’s even more excited about investing in the healthy future for her hometown.