The Power of Prevention: Sharon Bistodeau, RN, Educator and Advocate of Mock DUI for 21 Years
By: Kristin Carlson, Marketing Manager, Bonner General Health
If you’ve been in Sandpoint for any amount of time, you have likely seen this energetic healthcare worker manning a med tent at the Festival at Sandpoint, the CHAFE 150, any run, or fundraising event. She is also a long-time member of the nursing staff at Bonner General Health.
Sharon “Bisty” Bistodeau has also poured countless volunteer hours and some of her own dollars into the Mock DUI at Sandpoint High School. She has been an integral part of the planning and execution, supporting the high school student council who spearhead the event, for 21 of the last 23 YEARS. “We couldn’t hold it during the pandemic, so we missed two years.”
When asked why she is so invested in this event, she responded matter-of-factly: “I graduated from nursing school in 1982. 38 years of my nursing career have been in an ER. I have seen everything. I have always believed part of my role as an ER nurse is to also be an educator to the public. If I can keep someone out of the ER through education, I’ve done my job.” And so, she has done just that. Utilizing her knowledge and experience for the greater good, by talking to anyone who will listen. And working with teens holds a special place in her heart. “I love working with these kids. When the Mock DUI program was in danger of retiring the kids stepped up; and since then, they have led the mission to continue the program.”
Meetings start in January and are led by representatives of the Junior class. The students come up with the scenario, write the script, and ask for assistance from all emergency responders. “They tell us how they want it to go and we do our best to make it happen.” Sharon attends the meetings, helps with the planning simulation. Her favorite part is chaperoning the teens who are actors in the “scene”. Since the cast is kept secret, the students gather the night before, rehearse the skit, and then have a wake-up call at 5:45 AM to start make-up, provided by the SHS Theater department. The first time they see their fellow classmates on mock DUI day, is when the students are led outside to the SHS parking lot where a car accident scene is splayed in front of them, and their peers are playing accident victims.
The scenario is narrated, sharing the circumstances of the accident, biographical information about each victim, who lives, who dies, and who will be criminally charged for choosing to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Emergency personnel respond as they would in a real incident, extract the victims, provide mock medical care, including gurneys for those who have survived and covering the deceased in sheets, place victims in ambulances, and drivers in police cars. Life Flight even landed to carry a victim to the hospital.
“The entire day is executed with such detail and realism. If we keep one kid from drinking and driving, we have been successful.” And that is why I continue giving back and educating my community. Sharon will retire this year and plans to travel. She is passing the torch to another BGH employee Michelle Berger. 
“Knowing there are people to keep it going allows me to finally retire.” Sharon’s passion has undoubtedly saved lives and her legacy of education will continue to resonate through the Mock DUI program for years to come.
Private donations fund the mock DUI. Seniors from Sandpoint High School, Lake Pend Oreille High School, Priest River Lamanna High School, and Clark Fork High School attended. Many community volunteers, Emergency Responders, and Police make this event possible.The Power of Prevention: Sharon Bistodeau, RN, Educator and Advocate of Mock DUI for 21 Years
