Erin has worked in inpatient nursing, informatics, education, and oncology. In her variety of positions, different problems arise, but she always meets the needs of the task. Erin seeks guidance from those around her who are experts in the field and makes sure that those who are affected are involved in decision-making. Erin encourages you to think outside the box when problem-solving and encourages you to always look for ways to improve processes and do things better because our teams and patients deserve the best.

Erin has previously lead projects including for advancing the nursing profession including: Tri-State Region Meaningful Use team for 224A and 224B Transitions of Care Measures, Developed personalized optimization plan with Nursing Practice Council, Serve as a leader in development of a Peer Evaluation Process for the Regional In-patient Team, Lead the Wound Nurse Sub-Team in optimizing their workflow to support the bedside nurse, Chair Entity Sepsis Team, Chair Entity Nursing Quality Practice Council

Erin has fostered an environment of trust, compassion, respect, ethical behavior, and professional development in not only her own team but in teams around her. She demonstrates our mission and values every day in her professional and personal life. Erin leads by example and embodies servant leadership. Staffing issues are no strangers to any department, but Erin rolls up her sleeves and does whatever is needed, whether it is checking patients in and out for the day, rooming patients, or supporting her team members personally and professionally. Erin always demonstrates respect for others’ opinions and values and takes what each person has to say to heart. There is never a question or task that she doesn’t answer or work to resolve to make your job and life better.

Erin leads not only in her professional role, but in her personal life as well. Erin serves on the education board in her community and has helped create improvements in funding and grounds improvements for the school. Erin also encourages and promotes community service options for her team members to participate in personally or group settings, such as providing education to the community or serving breakfast at the Hope House with the American Cancer Society. Erin is dedicated to serving her community in whatever capacity she can, and there is no limit to her ideas to help her community flourish.

Erin encourages accountability in her team by always promoting looking at advancing practices and changes in care. Under her leadership, the oncology nurses have created a regular journal review club to advance their knowledge on the ever-changing topics of oncology. Erin researches any idea recommended for improvement by her team members and supports the implementation of new ideas that improve the lives of our patients and team members. Erin encourages others to advance their career if they desire and supports team members to be the best version of themselves.

Erin is a mentor, teacher, and coach every day. When I first met Erin, I was working as an inpatient leader, and she was the director of a friend of mine. I stopped by to visit one day, and Erin was present. She immediately made me feel welcome to be around her. It was not long afterwards that Erin shared her leadership story and began mentoring me, even when she didn’t have to. Erin not only provided guidance and direction for growth, but also a compassionate and listening ear when needed. Over the year and a half, she helped me achieve goals in a different realm than her own environment, and was always a friendly smile when I would see her. I was fortunate to be able to find a spot among her team, and she provides guidance and support every day. Erin has provided me a life changing opportunity and encouraged me to seek my DNP and advance my education.

At SSM Health, I believe we are fortunate to surround ourselves with people who dedicate their lives to the service of others. This award is to recognize those who have made profound differences in their leadership roles. Erin is beyond deserving of this award, among many other accolades. Erin started her career as a care partner and has grown and evolved to meet the needs of her team and patients over her career. Erin has been a team lead, educator, IT/EPIC specialist, and Director. Erin utilizes evidence-based practice in her leadership role to ensure her departments achieve organizational excellence, including employee engagement, patient care services, quality, safety, and fiscal responsibility. Erin has been instrumental in numerous teams and subcommittees. In Erin’s role as team leader and then director of Cancer Care, she has developed an innovation challenge team to allow front-line workers to share their ideas on how to improve practice. She has also participated in the medical group clinical process team and supported structural changes among the three locations she serves. Erin has also participated in leading the SSM Health Leadership Foundations Class to mentor new leaders in the system.

During Erin’s time with SSM IHT, she was a leader for regional orders product specialists in coordinating projects. She was a leader for the Tri-State Region Meaningful Use team for 224A and 224B Transitions of care measure. Additionally, she helped develop a recognition committee for regional teams as well as a peer evaluation process. Erin has led a wound nurse-subcommittee to optimize workflow and better support the nurses at the bedside. During Erin’s time as a critical care leader, she provided mentorship to staff advancing their education, was chair of the sepsis team, provided expertise in organ procurement, and was an instructor for TeamSTEPPS. These are just a few of many examples of the impact Erin has made during her time as a nurse leader. Regardless of her title, there is one theme consistent with all her accomplishments: compassion. Erin ensures that compassion for her team and patients is at the center of all she does. Erin dedicates her life to making sure that patients are receiving exceptional care and that her team members have the resources they need to be able to accomplish this goal.