WOW honor recognizes Bistodeau's lifetime of service

For more than three decades, Sharon “Bisty” Bistodeau has been a compassionate force in Bonner County — serving as a nurse, mentor, advocate, and volunteer whose impact reaches throughout the community. In recognition of her lifetime of service, she has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Bonner County Women of Wisdom Lifetime Achievement Award.

For many in Bonner County, Bisty has always been there — responding to emergencies, mentoring nurses, comforting families, supporting community events, and stepping up whenever help was needed. Her mission has long been to bridge the hospital and community, finding creative ways to better our community — on and off the clock.

After moving to Sandpoint in 1992 and joining Bonner General Health, Bisty quickly identified major gaps in rural emergency care. Through her leadership and vision, she helped establish organized EMS services and the county’s 911 emergency response system, reshaping emergency care across Bonner County. She also played an instrumental role in bringing North Idaho’s first medical helicopter service, Air Med One, to the region, expanding access to lifesaving transport and critical care for rural residents.

She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Administration in 2014 and later became a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), helping develop the SANE/SART program alongside local law enforcement, prosecutors, and the LillyBrooke Family Justice Center to provide trauma-informed care for survivors. In 2024, she transitioned into behavioral health as behavioral health case manager, continuing her work serving the community’s evolving needs.

For nearly 30 years, Bisty has coordinated medical support for many of Bonner County’s major community events, including the Festival at Sandpoint, CHAFE 150, Long Bridge Swim, Jaycee’s Race, and NAMI Walks. She has also spent more than two decades supporting the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Mock DUI program, educating students on the consequences of impaired driving.

For years, she partnered with local bike shops and helmet manufacturers to host elementary school bike fairs, providing free helmets so all children could ride safely. In addition, she was a long-time committee member of Celebrate Life, a nonprofit that provides comfort, encouragement, and practical assistance not found anywhere else to cancer patients and their caregivers in Bonner County.

Bisty’s contributions have earned her numerous professional honors over the years, including Bonner General Health Employee of the Year, the Idaho Business Review’s Healthcare Heroes Award, multiple “Best Nurse” recognitions, and a DAISY Award for extraordinary nursing care.

For Bonner County, Sharon Bistodeau’s legacy extends far beyond her nursing career. It is a lifetime of compassion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to caring for others and strengthening the community she calls home.

Bistodeau joins fellow 2026 honorees Dee Ann Smith, Nancy McAdam, Rebecca Hawkins, and Sue Brooks, all of whom are being celebrated for their leadership, service, and enduring contributions to Bonner County.

The Women of Wisdom Gala Luncheon honoring these exceptional women will be held Saturday, June 13, at Marigold Bistro in Sandpoint. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by calling Diane at 208-290-6362 or by emailing [email protected].