Meet Judy Vire: The Nurse Practitioner Bridging the Healthcare Gap in Rural Texas Communities

Nurse practitioner Judy Vire has dedicated her life to establishing care for patients in rural parts of Central Texas. Her clinic, Kocurek & James, is one of a few providers offering medical care to communities desperate for easier access.

Vire has a master’s degree in nursing, was a nursing educator, and worked in many nursing roles, but she said her love of small-town America and the people there inspires her life’s work.

Daily Nurse proudly names Judy Vire the Nurse of the Week for her dedication to providing access to care to small-town and rural communities and caring for the most vulnerable patients, those who are unable to leave their homes.

Vire and her family settled in Flatonia, where she helped open the Rural Health Clinic in Flatonia and Schulenberg. Medical care is paramount for people in this rural part of Central Texas.

“It’s critical. Without having access to care close to home, people would be commuting into Austin, Katy, Victoria — that’s at least an hour’s drive any way you go,” Vire says. “These small communities depend on having these home-grown clinics close to home for convenience and access to care.”

Vire often makes house calls to the most vulnerable patients who cannot leave their homes.

“Because it’s a rural area, we serve an older population. The 65 and older are our largest population, and they, of course, need the most care,” Vire explains.

Regardless of whether a patient is old or young, Vire believes establishing trust is most important.

“Healthcare is personal. And when you have to tell someone bad news that impacts their lives, that is very personal, and people let you do that and trust you to do that,” she says.

That trust, she says, is why she’s given over 40 years to this career. Throughout her time at the Schulenberg clinic, she has seen generations of families making a daily impact on these communities.

In 2003, Vire was named Nurse Practitioner of the Year, and this year, she’s a Remarkable Woman nominee.

“It feels wonderful, and I was very surprised because there are a whole lot of more remarkable women than myself,” she says.

When asked about her most treasured career accomplishment at this clinic, she said it’s time.

“Maybe it’s longevity,” Vire says. “I can’t believe it’s been 30-some-odd years, and I am still doing this. I am proud of that.”

Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter. 

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