Elaine Stewart-Hylton

Elaine Stewart-Hylton was unanimously chosen by her entire Nursing Administrative Staff as recipient of the 2010 Corporate Nurse Excellence Award. Ms. Stewart has proven during her 38 years of nursing experience that having a passion for clinical excellence as well as a commitment to safe, quality patient care can only lead to ONE road and that road is the Road Ahead.

During her years of service to Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center, Ms. Stewart has embodied the true meaning of a positive nursing image. Whether caring for her patients as nurse aide, staff nurse, nursing supervisor, Associate Director of Nursing or interim Chief Nursing Officer, she has always upheld the highest standards of nursing practice and professionalism. Ms. Stewart has always been ahead of her time taking an innovative approach to all issues and believing in nursing empowerment coupled with accountability.

Since her appointment in August 2009 as the Interim Chief Nursing Officer, Ms. Stewart has been able to successfully oversee her Peri-Operative Service responsibilities as well as the daily operations of the Nursing Department. Maintaining a sense of balance between administrative and clinical duties is no easy task. Yet, Ms. Stewart accomplishes this with the skill of a performer walking the high wire. She has the focus, energy and emotional intelligence that allow her to keep up with the scheduled and unscheduled activities, events and crisis. In spite of her hectic calendar, she manages to call the off shift ADN from her car phone, speak to a beleaguered colleague, admonish an employee for poor time and attendance, and respond face to face to a patient’s complaint.

Ms. Stewart is a true believer in shared governance. She has a way of letting her leadership group know what is expected, what will be tolerated and what is unacceptable.  This is always done with absolute professionalism, effective leadership, and interpersonal skills of a diplomat. Her grace and demeanor, along with her clinical expertise, always garner her group of cohorts who would join forces with her to the depths of any healthcare niare. With this esprit de corps, everyone knows they would come out stronger, more resilient and with a winning attitude.