April 18, 2022
Since 2003, the Dave DeSantis XTERRA Warrior Award has been given to a member of the XTERRA Tribe that has shown exemplary courage in the face of adversity, gone above and beyond to help the greater community, or personified the “Live More” spirit.
“Travel nursing has been a fantastic experience and I have been exposed to procedures, techniques, and methods that I would not get the opportunity to experience if I stayed at one hospital my entire career,” said Culver, who has worked in Covid ICUs, Cardiac ICUs, and Trauma ICUs in Tucson, Spokane, Denver, and her hometown over the past year.
“Nursing in 2021 is a challenge due to staffing shortages, and very sick patients in every part of the country. The Covid virus is still alive and well in the community.”
Culver races XTERRA, and lives the healthy, active, outdoors lifestyle to balance the stress of work.
This year’s award winner, which was announced at the Aloha Friday Welcome Reception at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Maui on December 3, 2021, is Jessica Culver, an ICU travel nurse from Missoula, Montana, who courageously cared for the sick during the pandemic.
“My mantra is ‘Do your best today,” said Culver. “Being a nurse and especially a night shift nurse, I need to remind myself it's okay to be emotionally and physically tired. It's okay to sleep in, and it's okay not to be okay some days. Just be the best you can be today. Tomorrow is a new day.”
At the 2021 XTERRA World Championship off-road triathlon, Culver did her best and finished third in the highly competitive 35-39 division.
For her contributions to the community in a time of great need, XTERRA is proud to recognize Jess Culver as the 2021 Dave DeSantis Warrior Award winner.
ALL-TIME XTERRA WARRIOR AWARD WINNERS
Jess Culver (2021)
Anita Coyle (2019)
Wendy Minor (2018)
John Davis (2017)
Judy Abrahams (2016)
David DeSantis (2015)
Christophe Maury (2014)
Ron Hill (2013)
Ben Allen & Jacqui Slack (2012)
GL Brown (2011)
Taylor Seavey (2010)
Juergen Feherenback (2009)
Jamie Whitmore (2008)
Tae Young Kim (2007)
Nico Pfitzenmeier (2006)
Dr. John Mills (2005)
Willie Stewart (2004)
Bryan Medrano (2003)
