Brooke
O'Grady
December 2025
Brooke
O'Grady
,
BSN, RN, CPN
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago
,
IL
United States
She ensures that every parent, guardian, or caregiver leaves empowered to care for their child at home.
It is my pleasure to nominate Brooke O'Grady for the Extraordinary Nurse Educator Award. Brooke consistently exemplifies the highest standards of nursing education through unwavering dedication to patient and family education in the pediatric population. Since the 18th floor does not have a CNL, Brooke champions outpatient and family educator roles once a week during her administrative time.
Brooke demonstrates an exceptional ability to connect with families during some of their most stressful and vulnerable moments. She recognizes that each family learns differently and takes time to tailor her education to meet individual learning needs, whether through visual aids, demonstrations, written materials, or hands-on practice. She ensures that every parent, guardian, or caregiver leaves empowered to care for their child at home.
Brooke's approach is grounded in empathy and patience. She assesses each family's understanding, literacy level, and emotional readiness, then adapts her communication style to suit them, breaking down complex medical information into language that is clear, compassionate, and practical. Families frequently comment on how Brooke's teaching has helped them feel calm, informed, and capable, even in challenging circumstances.
Beyond her direct interactions with our patients and families, Brooke is a strong advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration. She communicates education needs and progress to the entire team through weekly emails. Through her updates, Brooke ensures that all members of the interdisciplinary team are consistent in their approach to a safe discharge.
Brooke's dedication to patient and family education not only supports better patient outcomes but also enhances the confidence and cohesion of the care team. Brooke spends time with all new RNs and prepares them with patient/family education strategies so that all bedside nurses are prepared to participate in family education, not just senior nurses.
For her unwavering commitment to empowering patients and families, her thoughtful and inclusive teaching strategies, and her exceptional collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, I am proud to nominate Brooke for the Extraordinary Nurse Educator Award.
Brooke demonstrates an exceptional ability to connect with families during some of their most stressful and vulnerable moments. She recognizes that each family learns differently and takes time to tailor her education to meet individual learning needs, whether through visual aids, demonstrations, written materials, or hands-on practice. She ensures that every parent, guardian, or caregiver leaves empowered to care for their child at home.
Brooke's approach is grounded in empathy and patience. She assesses each family's understanding, literacy level, and emotional readiness, then adapts her communication style to suit them, breaking down complex medical information into language that is clear, compassionate, and practical. Families frequently comment on how Brooke's teaching has helped them feel calm, informed, and capable, even in challenging circumstances.
Beyond her direct interactions with our patients and families, Brooke is a strong advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration. She communicates education needs and progress to the entire team through weekly emails. Through her updates, Brooke ensures that all members of the interdisciplinary team are consistent in their approach to a safe discharge.
Brooke's dedication to patient and family education not only supports better patient outcomes but also enhances the confidence and cohesion of the care team. Brooke spends time with all new RNs and prepares them with patient/family education strategies so that all bedside nurses are prepared to participate in family education, not just senior nurses.
For her unwavering commitment to empowering patients and families, her thoughtful and inclusive teaching strategies, and her exceptional collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, I am proud to nominate Brooke for the Extraordinary Nurse Educator Award.