It is an incredible privilege to recognize Elaine for over 45 years of service with BayCare. While the number alone is remarkable, what truly defines her career is the profound and lasting impact she has had on those around her. Elaine embodies what nursing is meant to be. Her clinical knowledge, especially in CVICU and open-heart recovery, is unmatched. She has trained and shaped countless nurses over the years — and I am one of them.

When she case-trained me as a new CVICU nurse, she didn’t just teach me tasks or protocols. She taught me how to think critically, how to anticipate complications before they happen, and how to carry myself with confidence and calm in the most high-acuity moments. What makes Elaine extraordinary is not only her expertise, but her heart. She invests in people. She remembers the details. She checks in. She celebrates growth. She genuinely cares about the nurses she trains and works alongside, long after orientation ends. That kind of mentorship doesn’t fade — it stays with you throughout your career.

To me, she has always been more than a preceptor. She has been a steady presence, a trusted voice, and someone whose approval and guidance mean the world. The bond she forms with her colleagues speaks to the kind of leader and human being she is. She will always be Momma Elaine to me! Elaine’s legacy lives not just in the years she has served, but in the confidence, competence, and compassion she has instilled in generations of nurses. Our unit — and our profession — is better because of her.