Better with Time: Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse Laura Heimann’s Path to Lasting Health
9/8/2025
When Laura Heimann began her nursing career at Moberly Regional Medical Center (MRMC) in 1995, she would be the first to tell you that her own health wasn’t her main priority. But time and a change in her career to be a cardiac rehabilitation nurse ten years ago spurred her to focus more on improving her own health one healthy change at a time. A self proclaimed work in progress, she has built on those habits in order to live as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
For the first nearly two decades in her career, Laura worked as a nurse in the maternal child department of the hospital taking care of moms and babies. In those years, she ate and drank what she wanted when she wanted, and she doesn’t describe her lifestyle as healthy.
“I exercised off and on, but not consistently like I do now,” Laura said. “Maya Angelou said, ‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.’ That’s what I try to do. I definitely have developed more healthy habits when it comes to my spiritual health as well. I spend intentional time in prayer and reading the Bible every day, and it is the best way to start my day.”
For over a decade now, Laura has been a cardiac rehabilitation nurse. In this role, she has learned that there are some risk factors that we can’t control, like our age and genetics, but there are many that we can control through lifestyle changes and preventive measures.
“I have definitely learned a lot about being as healthy as possible since working in cardiac and pulmonary rehab for the past 11 years,” Laura said. “Some controllable risk factors are poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption, poor quality of sleep, stress, and inadequate sleep habits. I have seen first-hand the negative effects that an unhealthy lifestyle has on a person’s health, longevity, and quality of life, and it has helped me make healthier choices for myself.”
Laura also has some personal reasons why she continues to improve her health journey.
“First and foremost, the Bible says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we should honor God with them, and I believe that includes making healthy choices,” Laura said. “Most recently, becoming a grandma has motivated me to be my best self! I want to be able to keep up with our grandson and set a good example of making healthy choices.”
While it’s not one-size-fits-all for everyone, Laura has focused on implementing healthy habits into her everyday life. Some of Laura’s habits include exercising or walking five to six days per week, strength training, prioritizing a healthy diet, avoiding soda and sugary drinks, sleeping at least eight hours per night, scheduling regular doctor checkups and staying on top of recommended health screenings.
In addition to her nursing work and grandma life, Laura has been an active member of the community, which is also a motivating factor in her life. She has held part-time positions as a childbirth and breastfeeding educator at MRMC, adjunct clinical instructor at Moberly Area Community College, and district wellness coordinator and substitute school nurse for Moberly Public Schools. She is currently the director of worship at Central Christian Church in Moberly.
After a successful and fulfilling 30 years of caring for her patients, her family and her community, Laura stays committed to caring for herself– for today and for her future.
“I want to be as healthy as I can for as long as I can,” Laura said. “I want to walk the walk when it comes to doing the things that I educate my patients about every day in cardiac and pulmonary rehab.”
To learn more about maintaining your health as you age, sign up for Moberly Regional Medical Center’s free 12-day email series “Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life” with tips on living a longer, healthier life. Sign up at www.moberlyregionalmedicalcenter.com/enjoy-the-ride.
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