MN Twins Nurse Night: Discount Tickets & Vote For Nurses To Throw The First Pitch

Vote For Nurses To Be Honored! 

One nurse will throw the first pitch! The first-runner-up will raise the “Twins Territory Flag”! The winners will get 2 game tickets, Clove shoes, scrubs from Fabletics, a prize bundle from Nuwest, and other prizes! Voting ends on 4/20.

Current First Pitch Rankings as of 4/14/25

1. Becca Goettsch
2. Brandi Bast
3. Jill May
4. Jill Eaton
5. Keith Radeke
6. Julie Kulikowski
7. Kari Schwartz

About The Finalists: 

Becca Goettsch
Becca is an outstanding RN that works in the ED at Ridges Hospital. She lead Professional Governance Council at the hospital. She has been an influential leader that has improved culture, safety, throughput and community connections. She is a formal preceptor and charge RN. She has done an outstanding job advocating for nursing and is part of the solution.

Brandi Bast
"It is with great enthusiasm that we nominate Brandi Bast to throw out the first pitch at the Minnesota Twins game on Nurse Appreciation Night. Brandi embodies everything that makes a nurse extraordinary—compassion, dedication, and dependability. She is a natural educator, always willing to share her knowledge and mentor others, all while maintaining a calm and adaptable presence in even the most high-pressure situations.
Beyond her clinical skills, Brandi brings a fun and uplifting spirit to her team, making every shift brighter for both colleagues and patients. And as a die-hard Minnesota Twins fan, there could be no better person to step onto the mound and represent the nursing profession on this special night.
We hope you will consider Brandi for this honor—she is a shining example of what makes nursing incredible, and no one would cherish this opportunity more than her!"

Jill Eaton
Jill has been a nurse for over 30 years! She has held multiple roles serving seniors in our community in long term care, assisted living, transitional care, home health, marketing and hospice. She will jump in and lend her skills whenever needed. She had a recent cancer scare this past fall and worked throughout her chemo and recovery - always with a smile on her face! Everyone is happy to see her show up with her smile, positive attitude and can do spirit. If you or a loved one have been served and supported by Jill - consider yourself truly blessed!

Jill May
Jill May, BSN, RN, OCN, is a dedicated nurse navigator whose kindness, compassion, and unwavering commitment make a profound impact on her patients. With her warm and empathetic approach, she provides guidance and reassurance, ensuring that every patient and their family and friends feel heard, valued, and supported throughout their healthcare journey. Jill’s dedication to oncology nursing and her exceptional ability to connect with patients have earned her a nomination for the prestigious CURE Extraordinary Healer Award. Her passion for patient care, combined with her expertise, makes her an invaluable advocate and a true inspiration in the field of oncology nursing and beyond.

Julie Kulikowski
Julie Kulikowski, BSN, RN, OCN, is an exceptional oncology nurse whose dedication to compassionate patient care and mentorship sets her apart. She provides unwavering support to her patients, ensuring they feel comforted and empowered throughout their treatment journey. Julie’s expertise and kindness make a lasting impact, not only on those she cares for but also on the next generation of nurses. As a mentor, she generously shares her knowledge and passion, guiding new nurses with patience and encouragement. Her commitment to excellence and her heartfelt approach to nursing make her a true leader and inspiration in oncology care and beyond.

Kari Schwartz
Kari is not only a super positive nurse but a fantastic co-worker. Her proactive approach and ability to work with clients in their home to build a trusting relationship is the key to helping them age magnificently. Watch this short video and be inspired! https://vimeo.com/471427758

Keith Radeke
Keith Radeke is the assistance head nurse on the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. He has been a nurse since 2005 and has always put patients first. Not only does Keith care for his patients, he also cares for his staff. Many nurses see him as their role model. He is incredibility patient and can make quick decisions in stressful situations. He consistently allows space for others to learn, grow and express themselves and always advocates for the safety of those around him. He has helped his coworkers with projects in and outside of work and never asks for credit. And as shy has he can be at times, he has even agreed to be an actor in a skit to help his unit win a video competition. Keith just goes above and beyond no matter the other's background. Keith is also one of the biggest sports fan and will use his hard earned vacation time -- sometimes even a week at a time for events like March Madness! He takes his sports games seriously. We always know that it will be a great shift when Keith is working and would love to nominate him for this amazing opportunity.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking here - tickets WILL sell out.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment for these amazing nurses, and we invite you to be part of the celebration.

• Voting closes on 4/20/25
• All nominated nurses will be named finalists!
• All finalists will participate in an online vote

Awards and Prizes:

• The nurse with the most votes will be honored on the field and throw the first pitch!
• The second runner up will raise the Twins Territory flag! 
• The nurse winners will each receive 2 game tickets, courtesy of Nurse.org, scrubs from Fabletics, a pair of Clove shoes, and a prize bundle from NuWest!

T-Shirts

As part of this grand slam of appreciation, Mel's Crafty Corner is thrilled to offer nurse baseball-themed t-shirts! Equip your gear to show your support for nurses and pride in style. Shirts start at $28 and will sell out, shop now!

>> $28 - Shop Now!

 

Don't miss this unforgettable night of baseball, camaraderie, and gratitude - be part of an incredible evening!

 

2024 Event Recap

The Minnesota Twins and Nurse.org teamed up to celebrate nurses on May 6th, National Nurses Day. Nurses and other healthcare heroes showed their support for the incredible Twin Cities nursing community. 

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Nurse To Throw The First Pitch & Raise The Game Flag! 

The nurse with the most votes threw the first pitch and the first runner-up raised the game flag! Each winner received 2 game tickets, Clove shoes, a prize bundle from Nuwest, and other prizes! 

Here are the two nurses who were chosen by an online vote: 

First Pitch Winner, Kayla Ourada: Kayla goes above and beyond what’s expected of her and is always striving to further her career. 

Game Flag Winner, Rebecca (Reba) Leischner: Rebecca (Reba) Leischner is the lead ECT RN at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. She is one of the most hardworking, compassionate people I’ve had the privilege of working with. She cares so deeply for her patients, and our ECT team as well. Our department would not be the same without her. Our team always jokes, “Once Reba leaves, we’re all leaving”. Her love for baseball and the MN Twins is undeniable. She’s always talking stats, play by plays at work. She even loves to go to games solo on her days off just so she can watch. 

Event Pictures