I have spent most of my 17 years at SwedishAmerican Hospital working alongside Colleen. As the Manager of Labor & Delivery, she truly fosters her team of nearly 100 associates! Colleen supports a healthy work-life balance, actively working to adjust staffing to prioritize productivity while maintaining safety and adequate staffing. Colleen takes an active and personal interest in each staff member, remembering the things that are important to them, not because she should, but because they are important to her. She promotes the growth of her staff, encouraging unit and hospital involvement, transitioning staff to the roles of Charge and Transport RN when they are ready with the support of their peers.

Before Colleen was the manager, she was the Op Sup for a handful of years, and as a team we encouraged her to seek the manager position because we knew she would advocate for us individually and as a whole. Before she was the Op Sup, Colleen was a more informal leader in L&D, functioning as a charge nurse and managing the day shift schedule, and we were happy to see her advance professionally.

Personally, coming to work with Colleen every day makes me love my job in all the extra ways. I am fulfilled by my current role and the difference I feel it makes in the community and health care system, but Colleen has truly mentored me as I grow in my leadership position, offering opportunities for growth and encouraging my development. Colleen creates an environment that makes it easy to balance my obligations at home and at work, and she builds my skills and confidence, assisting me in becoming the best leader I can be. I spend more awake hours with Colleen than anyone else in my life, and I am still happy to see her every morning! Leaders like Colleen grow strong teams, and we are lucky to have her.