The Legends award celebrates the legendary figures from NUMC’s past and present. NUMC Director of Operations Carisa Buegler said recipients of the award are people who inspire others to achieve great things, who are admired for their skills, values, talents and about whom miraculous stories are told.

Few fit the criteria for the award better than Dr. Krikava. In her 30 years with NUMC she worked as a physician in the clinic, emergency department, hospital, nursing homes and administration.

“Along the way [she] guided a transformation of NUMC into the exceptional organization it is today,” Buegler said. “If you are proud of the health care we provided to our region, you can thank Dr. Krikava for her dedication in helping get us to where we are today — a nationally recognized critical access hospital.”

Dr. Scott Rysdahl said Krikava set the gold standard for physicians. He said a question of how to treat a patient came up, physicians would consult Krikava ahead of the medical book.

Dr. Krikava gets a hug from Dr. Scott Rysdahl during the Legends award celebration at New Ulm Medical Center on Friday.

Rysdahl said Krikava once told him that as physicians, they had the 1Aluxury of helping people every day. He said it is this realization that makes it easier to work as a doctor.

One of Krikava’s special talents was making the new physicians feel welcome.

Dr. Kellie Newman said when she was recruited to come to NUMC from New Jersey, it was a phone call from Krikava that convinced her to come. Before meeting Krikava, Newman spoke on the phone for an hour. Once she came to NUMC, Krikava continued to make her feel at home.

“I don’t know where I would be without her call in 2004,” Newman said.

NUMC President Toby Freier was unable to attend the celebration, but in a letter said Krikava was deserving of Legend status.

“You’ve been a role model demonstrating amazing dedication, wisdom, compassion, courage and humility as a doctor, colleague, friend and leader,” Freier said.

After accepting the Legends award Krikava gave a short speech. She said each morning she would think about whether to stay home or go to work.

“Every day I could think of a good reason to come to work,” Krikava said.

Not every day is a good day in the medical profession, but she could think of a reason to keep working.

Krikava recently retired from NUMC. She said it was an honor to work with the staff for 30 years. She called the Legendy award a tremendous honor.

Though retired, Krikava continues to serve the community. She is a volunteer with the Girl Scouts, a member of the Turner Ladies, she recently joined the League of Women Voters and will continue to volunteer at vaccination clinics.