Elyse is an Ambulatory RN3 in the ENT clinic. Elyse regularly cares for the complex surgical head and neck patient population. Although Elyse provides outstanding care for all of her patients, there is one most significant example. One of Elyse’s patients was an elderly gentleman who lived in a nursing home and was a ward of the State of Illinois. 

Coordination between the clinic, OR, and nursing home would have been enough of a challenge. Coordination with the patient’s guardian through the State added a level of complexity. With every new challenge, Elyse found a solution to ensure the patient received the highest quality, safest patient care. 

During his post-operative visit to the clinic, the patient experienced cardiac arrest. Elyse initiated CPR while still maintaining the wherewithal to delegate additional tasks to give the patient the greatest chance of survival. 

When the patient was declared in the clinic, Elyse continued to provide the most excellent care to her patient while caring also for her colleagues. Elyse provided post-Morten care and coordinated a time with the chaplain to allow the team to pray and observe a moment of silence together. 

Although the outcome is not what anyone anticipated, this example demonstrates the type of nurse leader Elyse is. Throughout the entire process, she led a complex, interdisciplinary team across multiple organizations and legal entities. She embodied relationships and caring for the patient and her team; critical thinking, technical expertise, and evidence-based practice under pressure. 

Much of what Elyse does she considers “part of the job.” However, the care she provides goes above and beyond which is exactly why she is deserving of this award.