To mark the beginning of Nurses Week, UW Health has highlighted the contributions of Luke Markus, a nurse at the Burn and Wound Center. His efforts have enhanced patient care and brought attention to nursing on an international scale.
Nursing is a family tradition for Markus. His mother was a nurse, his grandmother served as a certified nursing assistant, and his wife, Jill Markus, works as a nurse at the Pediatric Specialty Clinic at UW-Madison’s Waisman Center.
Since 2004, Markus has been part of UW Health’s burn unit. He appreciates this area because it provides care for patients of all ages with diverse needs. “You develop relationships with patients, especially those with a longer stay,” he explained. “It is rewarding to see a patient get discharged because there is a noticeable improvement.”
Markus’s dedication extends beyond typical duties to enhance overall care in the center. Noticing difficulties staff faced using stethoscopes through multiple dressings, he collaborated with leadership to secure higher-quality equipment for better patient outcomes. “It was good for the staff and it was a tangible item that improved patient care for the unit,” he stated.
His commitment also led him to work with the American Burn Association on creating requirements for the first burn nursing specialty certification approved last year. This certification acknowledges advanced skills necessary for treating burn wounds effectively. “I was able to help write clinical competencies for the title, listing the skills needed to be a burn unit nurse,” he noted.
In addition to his medical duties, Markus provides haircuts to long-stay male patients in the burn unit—a gesture that boosts morale. “Everyone feels better with a haircut,” he remarked. Despite offers from grateful patients wanting to pay him, Markus insists it’s complimentary.
With two decades in nursing behind him, Markus continues seeking innovative ways to support his patients’ recovery journey. “Being a nurse is the best job in the world,” he expressed. “We often see patients at their very worst and helping them get better is the best feeling.”
National Nurses Week runs annually from May 6-12 and celebrates nurses’ vital roles in maintaining public health and safety.
