Carolynn started her nursing career by completing her LPN education and immediately focusing on long-term. She later earned her BSN and master’s degrees. Being a nursing director was her dream, and for 30 plus years she supported many great nurses in that role. Her dream of being a Director of Nursing came true as the Director of a 692 bed SNF in Milwaukee, WI. She knew if she built a team of nurses and nursing support she could do so much more. She felt there was a missing link in connecting with the acute arena of nurses, and she finally made that connection when she worked for Aurora Healthcare. She was promoted to President at Aurora St Luke’s Southshore Hospital, and from there an expanded role to include Hospital President at Aurora Mt Sinai Hospital.

 Why have you dedicated your career to healthcare? Bedside nursing grounded me. I always thought about how hard the folks I was caring for worked to accomplish goals and provide for their families. There are so many residents/patients who need a nurse’s compassion and care. I also wanted to be that leader that recognized and encouraged nurses to dig deep and help their patients do the same.

I feel there are unlimited possibilities for nurses today. There are so many specialties and certification programs, and technology has created many amazing opportunities. Nurses need to embrace change and drive it.

Favorite Quote: The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others. Florence Nightingale