Heidi Vietor recently joined the HCO team as a nurse, starting on November 18, 2025. Although she is brand new to HCO, Heidi already feels a strong connection to the agency and the work being done across our programs.
Heidi became a nurse because she truly loves working with and helping people. After more than 10 years in nursing, she found herself losing that love in the field she had been in. During nursing school, psych and geriatrics were always her biggest interests and the areas she naturally gravitated toward. She knew she wanted to stay under the same nursing umbrella but needed a change. After applying and speaking with Nicole and Suzie during her interview, Heidi knew this was exactly what she needed. She felt hopeful again, and her love for nursing came back in a big way.
For Heidi, this work is about so much more than a job. It is the smiles, the greetings when she walks in the door, and the connections she sees every day. She often finds herself in awe while visiting programs and watching the relationships that have been built and the truly amazing work happening in each home. She feels honored to be part of it all.
What drew Heidi to HCO is how deeply the agency’s mission aligns with her own values. She believes strongly in empowerment, independence, and respect, and that everyone deserves to be treated as a human being and live their life the way they choose. Heidi loves celebrating how unique each person is and believes that no single aspect defines who we are. Embracing that uniqueness and finding joy and laughter along the way is what this work is all about.
Heidi sees HCO’s vision of everyone thriving come to life by keeping individuals strong, healthy, and safe. Feeling well and having good health is a foundation that helps people stay active and engaged in their lives.
When asked what keeps her coming back each day, Heidi’s answer is simple. The smiles, the greetings, and the conversations and connections with the individuals. She also shares how amazing the staff and nursing team have been, saying she has been welcomed with open arms, not only by coworkers but by the individuals supported by HCO as well. She is especially excited to work closely with Nicole and Stacy as healthcare continues to evolve.
Although Heidi is still new, she says every time she leaves a program, she feels humbled and honored. She is incredibly proud of the work she sees being done in each home and wishes more people could have an inside look at the care and dedication happening every day. The impact of HCO’s services is something she witnesses every time she walks into a program, and the stories she has heard have truly touched her heart.
Working at HCO has helped Heidi grow both personally and professionally. She has found her love for nursing again and stepped into a world she was not as familiar with, but one that already feels like home. Along the way, she has learned some important lessons from the people she supports. Laugh more, love more, and do not take life so seriously.
Heidi was born and raised in Winona, Minnesota. She spent a few years living in Colorado before moving back to the area in 2018 and now lives in Buffalo City. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and this year they will celebrate 25 years of marriage. She has a 25-year-old son who also lives in Winona. Heidi loves camping, spending time with family, traveling with her twin sister, and going for rides in her Jeep with the top down. She also has a dog named Aspen, a Great Pyrenees and Husky mix with lots of fur.
Heidi graduated from Minnesota State College Southeast Tech with her nursing degree in 2008 and continues to think about furthering her education someday. For now, she is focused on learning, growing, and supporting HCO in every way she can.
“I am truly excited to be here,” Heidi shares. “I am hoping to grow and continue to learn so I can be supportive in all aspects of HCO. My door is always open. Please do not ever hesitate to come to me for support.”
We are so happy to have you at HCO, Heidi. Welcome to the team.
