By Lori EhdeThe parish nurse program at Luverne’s United Methodist Church has grown from a good idea for a local congregation to a state model for other communities to build on.The Southwest Minnesota Foundation recently approved another $10,000 to support parish nursing in Luverne. It’s the third and final year for the grant, but Foundation staff members had high words of praise for registered nurse, Tammy Moeller, saying she’s built a program others can aspire to match.Moeller appreciates the compliments, but said she’s really only doing what she loves to do — making people feel better, physically and spiritually."I’m very glad I chose this occupation," she said. "I love the work and I love the opportunity to help so many people."Moeller previously worked at Luverne Community Hospital and the Hospice Cottage. She started the more administrative job of safety officer at the hospital when she heard of this opportunity."God has a way of making it work," she said. "I did it with faith, and I just prayed that it would work out."The Foundation is one of several funding sources for the parish nursing program, but Moeller’s salary is paid primarily by the Methodist Church.The Rev. Bart Fletcher brought the idea to the congregation three years ago because he spent much of his time during visits dealing with matters that were better left to a nurse. The church agreed that it would be ideal to return to the old tradition of being involved with health care.The Methodist Church partially funds Moeller’s position, which is also funded by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Foundation. The purpose of Moeller’s work is outlined as health education, counseling, illness prevention and being a community resource liaison. Moeller said in her fourth year on the job, she’s fulfilled all those requirements. "I’m most proud that people are talking about parish nursing," she said."I think every church and community should support it, because it’s getting people back to thinking about other people. … That was the original purpose of the parish nursing — It’s caring for people."As a registered nurse, she observes things like ankle swelling or medication side effects with a trained eye. And she’s also a concerned friend who can see if her "patients" need more help than they’re getting."The most invasive thing I do is blood pressure checks," Moeller said. "For anything more, I get them to their doctor."She gets satisfaction out of knowing her work can make a difference in the lives of her patients and their families. For example, one person had a low blood level after a recent surgery that might have been fatal had Moeller not detected it and recommended treatment."I guess in this situation, I was just the person who had the medical knowledge to help someone get help before they ended up seriously ill," she said.The success of the program lies in referrals which come primarily from within the Methodist Church congregation. But the program was clearly developed as a community outreach tool, as well, and Moeller said she’s seeing more and more patients outside of her church.And that, she said, is what it’s all about."That’s the bottom line," she said. "People are caring for people again."Moeller doesn’t have many set office hours, but she can be reached by cell phone at 920-7653 for information on programs or to get a visit from Luverne’s parish nurse.