Ellen Suerth
October 2025
Ellen
Suerth
,
BSN, RN, CRRN
Nursing Education
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago
,
IL
United States
In anticipation of Ellen's retirement from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, she received 16 nominations from her colleagues throughout the organization for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award:
1) I am so fortunate to have learned from Ellen over the last 8 years of my career. When I first met her, I was a nurse intern on the 9th floor. I always appreciated her guidance and wisdom, which I soon learned would continue on for years to come. After I graduated from nursing school, I returned to the 23rd floor as a new grad RN. I remember seeing Ellen in orientation and feeling a sense of relief seeing such a familiar face. When I eventually became CNC, Ellen would check in on me to make sure I was doing okay and continued to offer plenty of advice and wisdom. As I grew through various leadership roles and opportunities, Ellen has always been there to listen, advise, and support, but never judge. I am honored to call Ellen my mentor, role model, and friend.
2) Since I began my career at SRAL, Ellen has always been the mentor, role model, and educator that both new and seasoned nurses look up to. She has been a pillar of guidance for so many nurses who have come and gone through Shirley Ryan, including me. Around 7 years ago, I came here as a new graduate, and I quickly learned that Ellen was a safe resource to turn to for questions, advice, or if I just wanted to vent. Now that I am a clinical instructor, not much has changed, but I am lucky to work with Ellen even more in this capacity. No matter the time, she always listens and offers up her expert and genuine guidance. Ellen is more than deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to nursing excellence at SRAL.
3) Ellen has been an incredible inspiration to so many throughout her nursing career. As a personal mentor, she has generously shared her extensive CPR and emergency response knowledge with me and countless others. Thanks to her, I have grown significantly in my ability to manage medical emergencies in the hospital setting. She is always available to talk through situations, offer guidance, and provide support—no matter the time of day.
Ellen leads by example. She is compassionate, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely dedicated to her patients—particularly within the rehab population, which she serves with love and unwavering commitment. She is a natural educator and mentor, and her passion for nursing radiates through everything she does.
Although she jokes each year about retiring, we are all grateful that she continues to stay. Ellen is more than deserving of this recognition as the Lifetime Achievement Award. She has truly devoted her life to being an exceptional nurse, and her legacy of compassion, knowledge, and mentorship will have a lasting impact for years to come.
4) I'll keep it short and sweet. Ellen Jo is one of the kindest nurses I have ever met. Over the last 12 years, I have seen her in various roles, and no matter my question, she has always been willing to answer or point me in the right direction. She has always been welcoming, positive, and compassionate. I value her longstanding experience here at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and am confident she has made a lasting impact on nursing here.
5) When I started here at SRALAB, Ellen was extremely attentive to me from the very first day of orientation. Even though I had no idea she was my Academy Instructor, I’m 10000% confident that it would not have mattered. Ellen is well known across the building for all the work she has contributed to the organization. While I was working nights on the floor, she would check on me often. During the first year, she really urged me to get the ACLS certification. When I moved up to the House Supervisor role, I reached out for a refresher in medical emergency skills. Without hesitation, she made time to meet with me that week. Since then, I have been involved with emergency simulations to help others learn while also keeping my skills up.
Ellen is committed to training and supporting new generations of healthcare providers. She doesn’t just work within her designated department. She’s so influential it’s hard to keep track of how many roles she fulfills. She knows how to recognize and confidently build skills in others. Personally, Ellen is forever known as one of the nurses who developed my practice and future.
6) Ellen is the perfect choice for our first recipient of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award! I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ellen when we were both in direct care nurse roles, as well as working together in administration and education. In either role, Ellen is unfailingly kind and supportive to both patients and coworkers. When we worked together on the floor, I was always glad to see Ellen. If I had a question, I always felt comfortable asking. If I needed an extra pair of hands, she was always willing to help. It was always crystal clear that Ellen cared deeply for the patients and for her colleagues. On a shift-to-shift basis, it seemed it was always her goal to leave things better than she found them. I think this applies to her work in the nursing education department as well. Whether it was nursing orientation, the nurse intern program, emergency response, or educating staff on new equipment and products, Ellen has always been working to make things easier, better, clearer, safer, etc. But beyond that, she also keeps things fun - whether dressing up in head-to-toe costumes to work the floor on Halloween, dancing it out at numerous Magnusons, or working to improve on last year's gingerbread house. I know for sure that she's influenced how I approach my own career as a nurse, and I think it would be reasonable to say that, in one way or another, she's influenced just about every nurse that comes through Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Her stamp is on so many things that even if you've never met Ellen, you've benefited from her work simply by being in our building.
7) Ellen is the true embodiment of a caring, compassionate, and dedicated nurse. Working alongside her has been a really inspiring experience. As part of a team, she makes you feel heard and valued. Her mentorship and guidance have helped shape me in my nursing practice and have, no doubt, touched hundreds and thousands of nurses who have been lucky enough to learn from her through the years. I admire all that she has accomplished in her career and her dedication to the profession. She is truly the perfect recipient of this prestigious honor.
8) I would like to nominate Ellen. I have known Ellen for a long time. Ellen has always been so helpful and knowledgeable. She always considers the Pediatric Unit in all education rollouts. She is kind and patient. As a new CI, she has made it an effort to help me adjust. I do not know whom I will reach out to when she is gone.
9)Ellen is an extraordinary educator whom I have been learning from since the first day I set foot in this building. She mentored me as a new nurse and has continued to guide me as I became an educator. Ellen never lets an unkind word drop, never makes a patient or colleague feel stupid – even when we get it really wrong. Open door, open arms, ready to hear any question you have – whether it’s on best practice, secret nursing tricks passed on from our forebears, or the institutional knowledge that can help you turn an idea into reality. She is a load-bearing structure in this institution and must never be allowed to leave. Thank you for everything, Ellen!!
10) My first memory of working with Ellen was when I was a PCT. She was actually the clinical instructor who signed me off on using a feeding pump.
From that moment forward, I’ve had the honor of working with Ellen in many contexts. She was my staff nurse, working alongside me to care for patients, get them ready for therapy, and help them meet their rehabilitation goals. She was my clinical instructor, signing off on my skills to ensure I met the organization’s high standards for safety, competence, and quality care. When I myself grew into a clinical instructor role, she was my steadfast and caring mentor who ensured I had the resources and support I needed to grow as both an instructor and clinician. Now she’s my colleague, and she sits two desks down from me. She welcomed me with enthusiasm into the office suite. She’s a role model educator, coworker, clinician, and leader, and is always there when I need to vent my frustration or ask a stupid question or admit that I don’t know how to work the new defibrillator.
Ellen is a symbol of caring, patience, and knowledge for so many nurses at RIC/SRAlab. She’s the leader of our medical emergency team, she teaches every new nursing staff member who comes through our doors, and she’s a champion of professional governance and patient safety. Ellen’s leadership in our organization has contributed to the successful implementation of so many new technologies, equipment, supplies, and educational offerings. And with the introduction of each new thing, Ellen has proven to be a calm and flexible guide during times of transition.
Every single one of my own career achievements is marked with Ellen’s presence and guidance. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award than Ellen Jo Suerth, an education queen who has achieved and contributed to so much in our organization while also supporting the growth and achievements of others around her. Thank you, Ellen, for all you do!
11) It has been an honor to work alongside Ellen. Not only is she a depth of knowledge and a great resource for just about anything, but she has also used her career to move the nursing profession forward. As one of our OGs, she has served on many committees to amplify the nursing voice. She became Georgia’s owner and handler and brought canine companions into the building and the lives of all of our patients. She has played many different roles here at RIC and SRALab to do what is best for the organization. Not many people will do that willingly. She goes above and beyond for our nursing staff.
I get to watch her in action all the time—it’s almost like an internship! As part of the CPR committee, I’ve watched her keep us organized in emergency chaos for almost a decade. One of her passions is emergency care, and when I started the Peds emergency sims, she jumped right in to see how she could be of help. She is a leader through her actions. Even this week, she jumped in and rolled her sleeves up. She is an inspiration to the profession, and I hope I can be just like her when I grow up.
12) Over the years, I have had the privilege of interviewing potential employees. A few have left a lasting impression on me. In 2003, I met a nurse who stood out above the rest. At that time, Ellen had recently earned her BSN and was exploring options to advance her nursing career. With a background in orthopedic nursing—both inpatient and outpatient—Ellen was seeking an opportunity to continue growing professionally.
The nurse recruiter at the time recommended that Ellen meet with me for an interview for a Clinical Nurse Instructor position. During our conversation, I was immediately impressed by her professionalism, knowledge, and genuine passion for patient care. Although she was somewhat hesitant to accept an instructor role at that early stage of her career, she did accept a position as a staff nurse. I remember meeting her again at orientation and telling her, “When you’re ready, please reach out—I would love to see you as a clinical instructor someday.”
Now, 21 years later, Ellen has truly fulfilled and exceeded every expectation. Her contributions to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have been extraordinary, and her leadership has touched countless patients, families, and colleagues.
Some highlights of Ellen’s remarkable contributions include:
Ellen’s dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence embody the very best of nursing. She leads by example, supports her colleagues with kindness, and inspires everyone around her to strive for the highest standards of patient care.
13) It comes without hesitation to nominate Ellen for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. She has fully devoted her life’s work to the compassionate care of others. And even more importantly than caring for others, she’s trained, taught, mentored, guided, and advocated for countless others to provide compassionate care in her role as a Clinical Nurse Educator.
Ellen was the first person at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to give me, a new grad nurse at the time, an opportunity to be more involved and to practice leadership skills. Back at RIC, Ellen stepped in to be our interim manager on the 8th floor. She encouraged me to be the unit Magnet Ambassador and act as a charge nurse more often. I learned so much from both roles very early on.
Ellen has also had a deep impact in shaping our medical emergency response as clinicians. Reflecting on the codes I was a part of over the years as a Clinical Nurse Coordinator, nearly all of them, Ellen was present. She provided support, care, and clinical guidance. And then debrief that made the whole team better. Anytime I saw her presence, I felt more capable and able as a nurse, being reminded of all the times I had taken Med Emergency, ACLS, or BLS from her. This directly leads to better patient outcomes.
In considering other career and leadership opportunities within the organization, I always sought out Ellen’s wise advice because she herself had taken on so many roles within the organization. She is not only a great sounding board, but a long-term mentor. Even within her own life, experiencing challenges personally and professionally, she always maintains a wildly positive attitude and carries herself with grace, putting others above herself. She always makes time for the important things that matter. And that’s exactly how she has been in every role she has had.
In my nearly 12 years at SRAlab, all my own milestones and accomplishments have had a tie to Ellen in some way along the way. Ellen has shaped so much of my time as a nurse. And because she is so humble, I bet she has no idea of this! Hopefully, this nomination reminds and encourages her of so many nurses she’s shaped for excellence. I couldn’t come up with a more deserving nurse to receive this award. Ellen exemplifies every quality I’ve wanted to be in a nurse, and she does this consistently, compassionately, and kindly.
14)I have aspired to be just like Ellen since the day I started at RIC as a nurse intern back in 2016. During orientation, I remember admiring her passion for rehabilitation nursing and hoping one day to be able to teach like her. For years, I got to know Ellen from a distance- learning from her during and after emergencies and through courses. I remember when she gave me her cell phone number, I felt so cool and showed off to nurses on 24 that I had her number if we needed it (little did I know back then she put it in her away message- which is just who Ellen is). Anyways, fast forward to more recently, and my nurse intern dream of working alongside Ellen finally came true. I have been so fortunate to work with her every day and learn so much over the last year and a half. I continue to try to be just like her (although we all know this is an impossible feat) and love to point out every chance I get that my middle name is, in fact, Ellen. So at least I have that going for me!
To conclude, Ellen is everything you could want in a nurse, a coworker, a mentor, a teacher, and a friend. She represents everything this award recognizes and so much more. Thank you, Ellen, for all of it!
15) Ellen exemplifies the best qualities of a nurse educator with her hard-working character, unwavering compassion, a passion for teaching, and a genuine ability to connect with others. Her hard-working character is unmatched. She goes above and beyond to ensure others feel supported. She will immediately volunteer to help whenever she can and in whatever capacity she can. What truly sets Ellen apart, though, is her genuine compassion and love for the nursing profession. She creates a safe and comfortable learning environment and leads by example. She approaches every interaction with empathy and understanding, ensuring that nurses feel valued and supported. Ellen also has this remarkable ability to teach and mentor others. She is very relatable and engaging in her teaching style, which resonates with others. She grabs your attention by sharing her stories in her teaching and invites others to do the same. She connects with others by taking the time to listen – bringing warmth, understanding, and encouragement in every interaction.
Having the privilege of learning from her and teaching with her. She had made a profound impact on Shirley Ryan AbilityLab that will continue to inspire for years to come. Ellen inspires me to be the best nurse I can be, and I know she will continue to inspire others no matter what she does.
16) As everyone knows, Ellen is incredibly approachable at all times. While my unit is not directly under her supervision, she has always provided me and 25 with the utmost support regarding new initiatives, new orientees, and compliance with check-offs. I remember her offering her support to me regarding the new catheter kits recently – it came at the right moment – I had been feeling a bit overwhelmed with the sheer amount of initiatives and requirements on the unit, and just her offer of help really meant a lot. Not only is Ellen beyond helpful with basically everything (last-minute BLS Check Offs, glucometers, etc), she also just offers a listening ear. I genuinely enjoy our time together – I love bouncing ideas off of her and being privy to her wisdom.
1) I am so fortunate to have learned from Ellen over the last 8 years of my career. When I first met her, I was a nurse intern on the 9th floor. I always appreciated her guidance and wisdom, which I soon learned would continue on for years to come. After I graduated from nursing school, I returned to the 23rd floor as a new grad RN. I remember seeing Ellen in orientation and feeling a sense of relief seeing such a familiar face. When I eventually became CNC, Ellen would check in on me to make sure I was doing okay and continued to offer plenty of advice and wisdom. As I grew through various leadership roles and opportunities, Ellen has always been there to listen, advise, and support, but never judge. I am honored to call Ellen my mentor, role model, and friend.
2) Since I began my career at SRAL, Ellen has always been the mentor, role model, and educator that both new and seasoned nurses look up to. She has been a pillar of guidance for so many nurses who have come and gone through Shirley Ryan, including me. Around 7 years ago, I came here as a new graduate, and I quickly learned that Ellen was a safe resource to turn to for questions, advice, or if I just wanted to vent. Now that I am a clinical instructor, not much has changed, but I am lucky to work with Ellen even more in this capacity. No matter the time, she always listens and offers up her expert and genuine guidance. Ellen is more than deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to nursing excellence at SRAL.
3) Ellen has been an incredible inspiration to so many throughout her nursing career. As a personal mentor, she has generously shared her extensive CPR and emergency response knowledge with me and countless others. Thanks to her, I have grown significantly in my ability to manage medical emergencies in the hospital setting. She is always available to talk through situations, offer guidance, and provide support—no matter the time of day.
Ellen leads by example. She is compassionate, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely dedicated to her patients—particularly within the rehab population, which she serves with love and unwavering commitment. She is a natural educator and mentor, and her passion for nursing radiates through everything she does.
Although she jokes each year about retiring, we are all grateful that she continues to stay. Ellen is more than deserving of this recognition as the Lifetime Achievement Award. She has truly devoted her life to being an exceptional nurse, and her legacy of compassion, knowledge, and mentorship will have a lasting impact for years to come.
4) I'll keep it short and sweet. Ellen Jo is one of the kindest nurses I have ever met. Over the last 12 years, I have seen her in various roles, and no matter my question, she has always been willing to answer or point me in the right direction. She has always been welcoming, positive, and compassionate. I value her longstanding experience here at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and am confident she has made a lasting impact on nursing here.
5) When I started here at SRALAB, Ellen was extremely attentive to me from the very first day of orientation. Even though I had no idea she was my Academy Instructor, I’m 10000% confident that it would not have mattered. Ellen is well known across the building for all the work she has contributed to the organization. While I was working nights on the floor, she would check on me often. During the first year, she really urged me to get the ACLS certification. When I moved up to the House Supervisor role, I reached out for a refresher in medical emergency skills. Without hesitation, she made time to meet with me that week. Since then, I have been involved with emergency simulations to help others learn while also keeping my skills up.
Ellen is committed to training and supporting new generations of healthcare providers. She doesn’t just work within her designated department. She’s so influential it’s hard to keep track of how many roles she fulfills. She knows how to recognize and confidently build skills in others. Personally, Ellen is forever known as one of the nurses who developed my practice and future.
6) Ellen is the perfect choice for our first recipient of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award! I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ellen when we were both in direct care nurse roles, as well as working together in administration and education. In either role, Ellen is unfailingly kind and supportive to both patients and coworkers. When we worked together on the floor, I was always glad to see Ellen. If I had a question, I always felt comfortable asking. If I needed an extra pair of hands, she was always willing to help. It was always crystal clear that Ellen cared deeply for the patients and for her colleagues. On a shift-to-shift basis, it seemed it was always her goal to leave things better than she found them. I think this applies to her work in the nursing education department as well. Whether it was nursing orientation, the nurse intern program, emergency response, or educating staff on new equipment and products, Ellen has always been working to make things easier, better, clearer, safer, etc. But beyond that, she also keeps things fun - whether dressing up in head-to-toe costumes to work the floor on Halloween, dancing it out at numerous Magnusons, or working to improve on last year's gingerbread house. I know for sure that she's influenced how I approach my own career as a nurse, and I think it would be reasonable to say that, in one way or another, she's influenced just about every nurse that comes through Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Her stamp is on so many things that even if you've never met Ellen, you've benefited from her work simply by being in our building.
7) Ellen is the true embodiment of a caring, compassionate, and dedicated nurse. Working alongside her has been a really inspiring experience. As part of a team, she makes you feel heard and valued. Her mentorship and guidance have helped shape me in my nursing practice and have, no doubt, touched hundreds and thousands of nurses who have been lucky enough to learn from her through the years. I admire all that she has accomplished in her career and her dedication to the profession. She is truly the perfect recipient of this prestigious honor.
8) I would like to nominate Ellen. I have known Ellen for a long time. Ellen has always been so helpful and knowledgeable. She always considers the Pediatric Unit in all education rollouts. She is kind and patient. As a new CI, she has made it an effort to help me adjust. I do not know whom I will reach out to when she is gone.
9)Ellen is an extraordinary educator whom I have been learning from since the first day I set foot in this building. She mentored me as a new nurse and has continued to guide me as I became an educator. Ellen never lets an unkind word drop, never makes a patient or colleague feel stupid – even when we get it really wrong. Open door, open arms, ready to hear any question you have – whether it’s on best practice, secret nursing tricks passed on from our forebears, or the institutional knowledge that can help you turn an idea into reality. She is a load-bearing structure in this institution and must never be allowed to leave. Thank you for everything, Ellen!!
10) My first memory of working with Ellen was when I was a PCT. She was actually the clinical instructor who signed me off on using a feeding pump.
From that moment forward, I’ve had the honor of working with Ellen in many contexts. She was my staff nurse, working alongside me to care for patients, get them ready for therapy, and help them meet their rehabilitation goals. She was my clinical instructor, signing off on my skills to ensure I met the organization’s high standards for safety, competence, and quality care. When I myself grew into a clinical instructor role, she was my steadfast and caring mentor who ensured I had the resources and support I needed to grow as both an instructor and clinician. Now she’s my colleague, and she sits two desks down from me. She welcomed me with enthusiasm into the office suite. She’s a role model educator, coworker, clinician, and leader, and is always there when I need to vent my frustration or ask a stupid question or admit that I don’t know how to work the new defibrillator.
Ellen is a symbol of caring, patience, and knowledge for so many nurses at RIC/SRAlab. She’s the leader of our medical emergency team, she teaches every new nursing staff member who comes through our doors, and she’s a champion of professional governance and patient safety. Ellen’s leadership in our organization has contributed to the successful implementation of so many new technologies, equipment, supplies, and educational offerings. And with the introduction of each new thing, Ellen has proven to be a calm and flexible guide during times of transition.
Every single one of my own career achievements is marked with Ellen’s presence and guidance. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award than Ellen Jo Suerth, an education queen who has achieved and contributed to so much in our organization while also supporting the growth and achievements of others around her. Thank you, Ellen, for all you do!
11) It has been an honor to work alongside Ellen. Not only is she a depth of knowledge and a great resource for just about anything, but she has also used her career to move the nursing profession forward. As one of our OGs, she has served on many committees to amplify the nursing voice. She became Georgia’s owner and handler and brought canine companions into the building and the lives of all of our patients. She has played many different roles here at RIC and SRALab to do what is best for the organization. Not many people will do that willingly. She goes above and beyond for our nursing staff.
I get to watch her in action all the time—it’s almost like an internship! As part of the CPR committee, I’ve watched her keep us organized in emergency chaos for almost a decade. One of her passions is emergency care, and when I started the Peds emergency sims, she jumped right in to see how she could be of help. She is a leader through her actions. Even this week, she jumped in and rolled her sleeves up. She is an inspiration to the profession, and I hope I can be just like her when I grow up.
12) Over the years, I have had the privilege of interviewing potential employees. A few have left a lasting impression on me. In 2003, I met a nurse who stood out above the rest. At that time, Ellen had recently earned her BSN and was exploring options to advance her nursing career. With a background in orthopedic nursing—both inpatient and outpatient—Ellen was seeking an opportunity to continue growing professionally.
The nurse recruiter at the time recommended that Ellen meet with me for an interview for a Clinical Nurse Instructor position. During our conversation, I was immediately impressed by her professionalism, knowledge, and genuine passion for patient care. Although she was somewhat hesitant to accept an instructor role at that early stage of her career, she did accept a position as a staff nurse. I remember meeting her again at orientation and telling her, “When you’re ready, please reach out—I would love to see you as a clinical instructor someday.”
Now, 21 years later, Ellen has truly fulfilled and exceeded every expectation. Her contributions to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have been extraordinary, and her leadership has touched countless patients, families, and colleagues.
Some highlights of Ellen’s remarkable contributions include:
- Magnuson Award Winner
- Guardian for our second therapy dog, “Georgia”
- Co-chair, Medical Emergency Committee
- American Heart Association BLS Instructor and Training Center Faculty Member
- Member, Medical Emergency Rapid Response Team (MERT) and SRAlab Emergency Management Committee
- Chair, Nursing Practice Council
- A respected peer, valued mentor, and true friend
Ellen’s dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence embody the very best of nursing. She leads by example, supports her colleagues with kindness, and inspires everyone around her to strive for the highest standards of patient care.
13) It comes without hesitation to nominate Ellen for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. She has fully devoted her life’s work to the compassionate care of others. And even more importantly than caring for others, she’s trained, taught, mentored, guided, and advocated for countless others to provide compassionate care in her role as a Clinical Nurse Educator.
Ellen was the first person at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to give me, a new grad nurse at the time, an opportunity to be more involved and to practice leadership skills. Back at RIC, Ellen stepped in to be our interim manager on the 8th floor. She encouraged me to be the unit Magnet Ambassador and act as a charge nurse more often. I learned so much from both roles very early on.
Ellen has also had a deep impact in shaping our medical emergency response as clinicians. Reflecting on the codes I was a part of over the years as a Clinical Nurse Coordinator, nearly all of them, Ellen was present. She provided support, care, and clinical guidance. And then debrief that made the whole team better. Anytime I saw her presence, I felt more capable and able as a nurse, being reminded of all the times I had taken Med Emergency, ACLS, or BLS from her. This directly leads to better patient outcomes.
In considering other career and leadership opportunities within the organization, I always sought out Ellen’s wise advice because she herself had taken on so many roles within the organization. She is not only a great sounding board, but a long-term mentor. Even within her own life, experiencing challenges personally and professionally, she always maintains a wildly positive attitude and carries herself with grace, putting others above herself. She always makes time for the important things that matter. And that’s exactly how she has been in every role she has had.
In my nearly 12 years at SRAlab, all my own milestones and accomplishments have had a tie to Ellen in some way along the way. Ellen has shaped so much of my time as a nurse. And because she is so humble, I bet she has no idea of this! Hopefully, this nomination reminds and encourages her of so many nurses she’s shaped for excellence. I couldn’t come up with a more deserving nurse to receive this award. Ellen exemplifies every quality I’ve wanted to be in a nurse, and she does this consistently, compassionately, and kindly.
14)I have aspired to be just like Ellen since the day I started at RIC as a nurse intern back in 2016. During orientation, I remember admiring her passion for rehabilitation nursing and hoping one day to be able to teach like her. For years, I got to know Ellen from a distance- learning from her during and after emergencies and through courses. I remember when she gave me her cell phone number, I felt so cool and showed off to nurses on 24 that I had her number if we needed it (little did I know back then she put it in her away message- which is just who Ellen is). Anyways, fast forward to more recently, and my nurse intern dream of working alongside Ellen finally came true. I have been so fortunate to work with her every day and learn so much over the last year and a half. I continue to try to be just like her (although we all know this is an impossible feat) and love to point out every chance I get that my middle name is, in fact, Ellen. So at least I have that going for me!
To conclude, Ellen is everything you could want in a nurse, a coworker, a mentor, a teacher, and a friend. She represents everything this award recognizes and so much more. Thank you, Ellen, for all of it!
15) Ellen exemplifies the best qualities of a nurse educator with her hard-working character, unwavering compassion, a passion for teaching, and a genuine ability to connect with others. Her hard-working character is unmatched. She goes above and beyond to ensure others feel supported. She will immediately volunteer to help whenever she can and in whatever capacity she can. What truly sets Ellen apart, though, is her genuine compassion and love for the nursing profession. She creates a safe and comfortable learning environment and leads by example. She approaches every interaction with empathy and understanding, ensuring that nurses feel valued and supported. Ellen also has this remarkable ability to teach and mentor others. She is very relatable and engaging in her teaching style, which resonates with others. She grabs your attention by sharing her stories in her teaching and invites others to do the same. She connects with others by taking the time to listen – bringing warmth, understanding, and encouragement in every interaction.
Having the privilege of learning from her and teaching with her. She had made a profound impact on Shirley Ryan AbilityLab that will continue to inspire for years to come. Ellen inspires me to be the best nurse I can be, and I know she will continue to inspire others no matter what she does.
16) As everyone knows, Ellen is incredibly approachable at all times. While my unit is not directly under her supervision, she has always provided me and 25 with the utmost support regarding new initiatives, new orientees, and compliance with check-offs. I remember her offering her support to me regarding the new catheter kits recently – it came at the right moment – I had been feeling a bit overwhelmed with the sheer amount of initiatives and requirements on the unit, and just her offer of help really meant a lot. Not only is Ellen beyond helpful with basically everything (last-minute BLS Check Offs, glucometers, etc), she also just offers a listening ear. I genuinely enjoy our time together – I love bouncing ideas off of her and being privy to her wisdom.