# 83-year-old nursing assistant brings decades of compassion

> Barb Amsden, 83, has worked as a nursing assistant at Rutland Regional Medical Center for nearly 50 years, helping patients and staff through personal loss and medical challenges.
- Title: 83-year-old nursing assistant brings decades of compassion
- Summary: Barb Amsden, 83, has worked as a nursing assistant at Rutland Regional Medical Center for nearly 50 years, helping patients and staff through personal loss…
- Keywords: barb amsden, rutland regional medical center, nursing assistant, compassion, healthcare, personal loss, news, local, 83-year-old, nursing, assistant, brings
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/10/20/83-year-old-nursing-assistant-brings-decades-compassion
- Published: 2026-10-20T12:04:52.242+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: barb amsden, rutland regional medical center, nursing assistant, compassion, healthcare, personal loss, news, local
## Barb Amsden's career
Barb Amsden has worked as a nursing assistant at Rutland Regional Medical Center for nearly 50 years.
## Her early pay
In 1978, Amsden earned $3.15 an hour, the Super Senior’s starting pay.
## Support from colleagues
Brenda Dunlap, who worked with Amsden for 20 years, calls her 'my work mom' and 'my best friend'.
## Shared loss
Both Amsden and Dunlap lost their husbands within four months of each other, at the hospital.
## Key takeaway

Barb Amsden, 83, has worked as a nursing assistant at Rutland Regional Medical Center for nearly 50 years, helping patients and staff through personal loss and medical challenges.