About Me
Barbara (Putt) Neihouser, MSN, RNC-OB, RN
Where I’m From
I have been a resident nearly all my life in Pulaski or Jasper counties. I was raised on a farm and graduated from West Central High School in Francesville.
My Career
I pursued a nursing education from Purdue University at the West Lafayette campus where I was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing and earned the Harner Nursing Scholarship that was awarded to the junior nursing student with the top GPA. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science and secured a Registered Nurse Licensure from the State of Indiana. At Home Hospital in Lafayette, I was employed as an obstetrics nurse for 12 years. Then, at Valparaiso University, I earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education with a Gerke Scholarship and induction into Athenaeum Honor Society for Graduate Students which was based on GPA, scholarly work presented in public forum, and evidence of moral character. While studying at VU, I filled in for a yearlong maternity leave for the West Central Health Occupation class, became a certified inpatient obstetrics nurse, and was an obstetrics clinical instructor for nursing students. I then returned to obstetrics nursing at the Women’s Center at Franciscan Health, Lafayette, till the present time. During this time, I participated in Quality Council, Nursing Shared Governance, that monitored quality and outcomes as determined by regulatory agencies, state and national requirements, standards, and core measures; emergency response; patient flow; and CMS core measures.
My Family
As a young woman, I became a Christian, married my husband and best friend, Bradley Neihouser, and had four children. We are blessed with 1 girl, 3 boys, 1 son-in-law, 2 daughters-in-law, and 5 grandchildren (and two more on the way)! We also hosted two exchange students in our home. We are a busy family with everyone employed in various occupations—nurse, real estate agent, farmer, electrical engineer, biomedical engineer, lawyer and professor, loan officer, insurance agent, administrative assistant, and college student. My husband and I have lived in Jasper County for 30+ years; we own and operate a family farm and have a small equestrian ranch. My parents and mother-in-law live in Pulaski County and are active in church, family, community, and agriculture. My grandfather was raised in Jasper County; his parents lived for a short time near McCoysburg and then moved to Carpenter township. My grandfather’s grandparents lived along the Jasper-Newton line. The Putt family has farmed for six generations in this county. I am NOT a politician, but a nurse, farmer, and rancher, interested in public policy with new ideas supported by Hoosier values.
Spending time with my family.
My Politics
I have been an active Republican, interested in issues and politics.
In Gillam Township, Jasper County, I have been a Precinct Committeeman for 10+ years. I completed the Indiana Leadership Forum, a political and leadership education program. Twice, I served as a delegate to the State Convention. I have campaigned for numerous candidates. I filed to be a Republican candidate for County Council, At-Large for several reasons: protect individual liberties for all residents; provide transparency in local government; scrutinize tax levies to county residents; scrutinize county expenditures; secure election integrity; protect the unborn and the elderly; support term limits; and protect our second amendment rights.
As your county councilwoman, I will reply to the concerns and questions of the constituents.
The Big Question: Why vote for an experienced obstetrics nurse?
I am, quite obviously, not a politician. However, now, more than ever, we need new ideas, a fresh perspective. The status quo is not acceptable. As a nurse, rancher, and farmer, I will use my expertise, experience, creativity, and common sense to work for the constituents of Jasper County. Like many of our founding fathers, who were ordinary folks with various careers outside of politics, I, too, can help, and I will use my real-world knowledge to make Jasper County a better place for our families. I have done a lot of hours working as a nurse and helping on the farm, studying, teaching, and service (family, church, and community). I started the leadership journey with Quality Council and wish to continue in local government. I am running for County Council, At-Large, on issues and practical experience, not political capital. I bring knowledge and skills from a broad background in healthcare, education, and agriculture.
I believe that Jasper County, Indiana, is a great place to live. I would like to build on this foundation of prosperity and kinship. I believe that people are our most valuable resource. I believe that our land is our most valuable asset. Both are worth protecting! I would love to talk to you more about earning your vote.
Caring for my newborn grandson while on duty!