With deep roots in nursing and a heart for community care, Marygaye Tate has been named Chief Nursing Officer at Rainy Lake Medical Center (RLMC), a role that honors her lifelong commitment to compassionate leadership and excellence in patient care.
“My journey toward leadership has been shaped by my experience, taking on more responsibilities and a desire to make a difference in our patients, families and staff lives,” Tate said.
While Tate has only been a full-time resident of International Falls since 2022, her connection to the Borderland began in 1978, when she first visited the area with her then-boyfriend, Dan. His grandfather, a longtime mill worker, had purchased a piece of property on Dove Island in 1948, where he built a small cabin.
“Grandpa welcomed me with open arms,” Tate recalls. “We spent three wonderful years vacationing at the lake with him. This was when my love for this community began.”
In 1982, the couple married and continued to return to the lake each year, creating memories with their two children. In 2020, they began building their permanent home on Dove Island, officially becoming full-time residents two years later.
“My dream was finishing my career at RLMC,” Tate said. That dream became reality in January 2024, when she joined the RLMC team as the emergency department director.
Before RLMC, Tate’s journey in nursing began as a child. Inspired by caring for her grandmother at only 8 years old, she volunteered as a candy striper at age 15. Her career has spanned bedside nursing, mentoring, supervisory roles and ultimately leadership positions including director of nursing and now CNO.
With a leadership philosophy rooted in service to others, Tate said she leads by example, empathy, integrity and accountability.
“I believe in being visible and approachable,” she said.
As CNO, Tate’s top priorities include elevating patient care quality and safety, reducing hospital-acquired conditions and fostering a culture of continuous
improvement. She is committed to supporting nursing staff through open communication, inclusion in decision-making and a strong sense of trust.
“My work ethic is grounded in the belief that excellent patient care begins with a supported, inspired and respected nursing team,” she said.
Tate also values community engagement and has participated in several local events as part of the RLMC leadership team.
“Visibility and support for our community builds trust and strengthens our presence and reputation,” she said.
Reflecting on her new role, Tate says the opportunity allows her to honor the mentors, colleagues and patients who have shaped her journey and helped make her the nurse she is today. She gave a special nod to her father as her greatest inspiration.
“Although he never wore scrubs, he taught me the values that have become the foundation of my nursing career,” she said. “From him I learned to come to work on time, prepared and with the mindset to give 100 percent no matter how tired or overwhelmed I might feel. I learned that people remember not just what you do, but how you do it with kindness, consistency and heart.”
As Tate embarks on her new leadership role, it allows her to reflect on her nursing journey from candy striper to CNO and offer advice to nurses looking to take the next step in their careers.
“Nursing changed my life,” she said. “It gave me meaning, direction and a reason to keep going through hard times. Leadership is a way of giving back, to make the profession stronger for those coming behind us. Follow your dreams and don’t ever pass up an opportunity to shape the future of healthcare through the lens of nursing excellence.”
