COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A high school sports medicine program served as the introduction for a career that centered on helping others, but a personal connection set the stage for caring for people with challenges for Remarkable Woman finalist Laura Monette-Wood.

Family, education and taking care of her patients are important to Monette-Wood.

“I had seen the Remarkable Woman before with NBC4,” said Monette-Wood. “So, you know, I thought there’s no there’s no way I’d qualify to be a Remarkable Woman. That’s just crazy. I just kind of live my life.”

Monette-Wood, a nurse in the Active Trauma Unit at Grant Medical Center says her interest in caring is rooted in a very close relationship.

“Growing up, I always you know, Mel and I grew up together,” said Monette-Wood. “Her mom and my mom are sisters. Melanie is my cousin. She was born blind. She actually has no eyes. So, I kind of liked being her caretaker. It kept me busy, I think because I was always just a busy kid. So, it definitely gave me something to do, but and it was, it was a lot of work, but I loved it.”

That labor of love comes in handy.

“I feel like, like if I have a patient who has a specific disability that has nothing to do with why they’re there at the hospital, I feel like I connect more with them just because of some of my life experiences,” said Monette-Wood. “Even, you know, a blind deaf person, an autistic person. I feel pretty comfortable around that population.”

Her drive and grit are part of the reason a friend thinks she deserves this recognition.

“You know, i think you have to walk into any shift with an open mind and leave home,” said Monette-Wood. “At home is kind of what I tell people. When I used to press up new nurses, I used to tell them, like, you’re here for your patients, you gotta leave home at home, because what they’re going through, you probably don’t even know.”

Monette-Wood earned an associate’s, then a bachelor’s degree to become a registered nurse. She has also worked as a health aide at several nursing homes. As for her cousin, Mel, she has her own apartment, living about 10 minutes apart means Monette-Wood can still provide help when needed.