Laurie
Hlodash
June 2026
Laurie
Hlodash
,
BSN, RN, MedSurg-BC
WellSpan York Hospital
York
,
PA
United States
She displays flexibility by making herself available to many staff members at their convenience to provide meaningful education, such as restraint documentation.
She represents the very best of nursing education through her compassion, commitment to learners, and unwavering dedication to elevating safe patient care across our hospital. She demonstrates extraordinary empathy and genuine care for every staff member she encounters. She creates a safe, supportive environment where questions are welcomed, and learning feels approachable. Her kindness fosters trust, and her ability to connect deeply with others makes her a beloved figure among both new and experienced nurses.
She is also an exceptional communicator. She collaborates closely with the wound care team to create and disseminate ongoing education on pressure injury prevention. These resources have been clear, concise, and impactful in promoting safe patient care. Her ability to translate complex clinical issues into easy-to-understand tools has had a measurable influence on staff knowledge and practice and reduced HAPI.
She consistently leads by example. She willingly steps outside of her regular responsibilities to ensure others have what they need to succeed. On multiple occasions, she has spent entire days providing education herself or escorting representatives across the hospital, ensuring that every unit receives hands-on, accessible education. Most recently, with the Hercules bed, OMNI pump, and safe patient handling. She frequently arrives early, stays late, and meets staff on their schedules, all so they have the right resources, confidence, and support to perform at their very best. Some of these items have included offering tips to enhance Epic documentation workflow and helping staff with professional development for application to the RN PPAP. Her dedication extends far beyond her home units. She always considers the global impact of her work on the hospital as a whole. She is a role model in every sense of the word. She is a trusted advisor to the PD Council.
Adaptability is one of her greatest strengths. She readily embraces change and adjusts her teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of staff. Whether she is problem-solving in real time, responding to a new educational need, or helping the hospital navigate equipment changes, she remains flexible, solutions-focused, and grounded in compassion. In collaboration with a peer clinical nurse educator, she co-developed, co-implemented, and co-oversees the innovative educational tool Get Well Educated Podcast. Each episode explores a nursing topic or clinical issue with Continuing Professional Development contact hours. She loves celebrating staff accomplishments and is the first person you think of when you need to implement an initiative or event. She is so passionate about celebration that she is the “celebration planner” for nursing events at YH, even bringing her own latex-free balloons, photo backdrop, tablecloths, and flameless candles!
She also demonstrates a deep love of learning—both in herself and in those she teaches. She is committed to ongoing professional growth and continuously seeks opportunities to elevate the knowledge and engagement of those around her. This commitment extends to the next generation of healthcare professionals. Each year, she plays a pivotal role in supporting a local YCAL event, welcoming up to 50 high school students from across York County into the hospital to explore healthcare careers. She organizes powerful simulation experiences, coordinates all necessary paperwork, and partners with numerous team members to ensure students have an exceptional, eye-opening experience. Recently, she found that some students faced barriers to participation due to vaccine or titer documentation that did not align with requirements for other hospital visitors. Instead of accepting this as the status quo, she collaborated with leaders to remove barriers, advocate for equitable access, and streamline the process for future students. Many YCAL students now work at YH, positively impacting recruitment of health care team members.
***
Laurie Hlodash is a nurse educator who has a vast healthcare knowledge base that she continuously keeps up to date. Because of this, she can share up-to-date information with staff to support their nursing practice. This information helps the nurse provide high-quality care to patients that is in line with WellSpan's goals and expectations.
In doing this, these WellSpan York Hospital nurses are equipped to have positive patient outcomes. Thus, our patients, their loved ones, and our communities are truly positively impacted by her hard work. This is why I nominate her for the 2026 Nurse Educator Award. She has empathy and compassion which fosters deep connections and creates a safe and supportive environment.
She is well known throughout our unit and the committees on which she serves. She knows staff and students by name and shows care for each by taking time out of her busy schedule to talk to people and share kind words and encourage when needed.
When we are busy, she has been known to offer hands-on assistance with chest tubes, documentation including but not limited to restraint documentation, and patient care. She shows empathy to our patients and their loved ones’ situations. This is evidenced in her interactions with them. She has a positive attitude. She has a contagious positive laugh that can make a work environment lighter.
She is excellent at communicating. She understands her audience and can tailor the education to their learning needs. This is helpful to ensure understanding of WellSpan policy and procedures to have positive patient outcomes.
She is a true role model for nurses and nursing students. An example is when she was doing CPR classes and was being observed as she gave the class. She did an excellent job. She was calm, did her job, and took on the role students usually take (being observed) in a professional way. This is one instance of many in which she is a role model for staff and students.
She displays flexibility by making herself available to many staff members at their convenience to provide meaningful education, such as restraint documentation. It is not uncommon to see her in our unit during huddle or during the day with one or several staff at a computer helping with documentation education. Speaking of huddle, she is an active participant at our daily huddle, providing very meaningful information such as policy and procedure updates.
Her relationships with students and staff, and her commitment to high-quality patient care, model a love of learning. Through her relationships, she helps make learning fun and easily accessible. That allows staff to feel more comfortable reaching out for help and then be more confident in their practice in the skill. Her teaching style establishes clear learning objectives. We always know what she is teaching and why it is needed. Her feedback is truthful and delivered in a positive, professional manner.
She works with people inside and outside of WellSpan, building collaborative relationships. She works with YCAL, local high schools, and other organizations on events to share what WellSpan offers these organizations and students. She works with many students to share her love of nursing.
She is a true nurse educator. This is why I nominate her for the WellSpan York Hospital 2026 Nurse Educator Award!
***
She's very supportive, flexible, approachable, and always willing to help staff. No matter what she is doing, she will stop, listen to you, and help you. There are many situations where she consistently goes above and beyond. One time, she was busy, and I hesitated to approach her, but she noticed me and asked if I needed help. She guided me on what to do, provided constructive feedback, and always presented information clearly and concisely. Another example is my coworker asking about RQI. She immediately offered to go with the staff to guide her on how to perform the RQI. She provided on-the-spot teaching on how to perform the task. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about her work. She deserves to win this award!
She is also an exceptional communicator. She collaborates closely with the wound care team to create and disseminate ongoing education on pressure injury prevention. These resources have been clear, concise, and impactful in promoting safe patient care. Her ability to translate complex clinical issues into easy-to-understand tools has had a measurable influence on staff knowledge and practice and reduced HAPI.
She consistently leads by example. She willingly steps outside of her regular responsibilities to ensure others have what they need to succeed. On multiple occasions, she has spent entire days providing education herself or escorting representatives across the hospital, ensuring that every unit receives hands-on, accessible education. Most recently, with the Hercules bed, OMNI pump, and safe patient handling. She frequently arrives early, stays late, and meets staff on their schedules, all so they have the right resources, confidence, and support to perform at their very best. Some of these items have included offering tips to enhance Epic documentation workflow and helping staff with professional development for application to the RN PPAP. Her dedication extends far beyond her home units. She always considers the global impact of her work on the hospital as a whole. She is a role model in every sense of the word. She is a trusted advisor to the PD Council.
Adaptability is one of her greatest strengths. She readily embraces change and adjusts her teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of staff. Whether she is problem-solving in real time, responding to a new educational need, or helping the hospital navigate equipment changes, she remains flexible, solutions-focused, and grounded in compassion. In collaboration with a peer clinical nurse educator, she co-developed, co-implemented, and co-oversees the innovative educational tool Get Well Educated Podcast. Each episode explores a nursing topic or clinical issue with Continuing Professional Development contact hours. She loves celebrating staff accomplishments and is the first person you think of when you need to implement an initiative or event. She is so passionate about celebration that she is the “celebration planner” for nursing events at YH, even bringing her own latex-free balloons, photo backdrop, tablecloths, and flameless candles!
She also demonstrates a deep love of learning—both in herself and in those she teaches. She is committed to ongoing professional growth and continuously seeks opportunities to elevate the knowledge and engagement of those around her. This commitment extends to the next generation of healthcare professionals. Each year, she plays a pivotal role in supporting a local YCAL event, welcoming up to 50 high school students from across York County into the hospital to explore healthcare careers. She organizes powerful simulation experiences, coordinates all necessary paperwork, and partners with numerous team members to ensure students have an exceptional, eye-opening experience. Recently, she found that some students faced barriers to participation due to vaccine or titer documentation that did not align with requirements for other hospital visitors. Instead of accepting this as the status quo, she collaborated with leaders to remove barriers, advocate for equitable access, and streamline the process for future students. Many YCAL students now work at YH, positively impacting recruitment of health care team members.
***
Laurie Hlodash is a nurse educator who has a vast healthcare knowledge base that she continuously keeps up to date. Because of this, she can share up-to-date information with staff to support their nursing practice. This information helps the nurse provide high-quality care to patients that is in line with WellSpan's goals and expectations.
In doing this, these WellSpan York Hospital nurses are equipped to have positive patient outcomes. Thus, our patients, their loved ones, and our communities are truly positively impacted by her hard work. This is why I nominate her for the 2026 Nurse Educator Award. She has empathy and compassion which fosters deep connections and creates a safe and supportive environment.
She is well known throughout our unit and the committees on which she serves. She knows staff and students by name and shows care for each by taking time out of her busy schedule to talk to people and share kind words and encourage when needed.
When we are busy, she has been known to offer hands-on assistance with chest tubes, documentation including but not limited to restraint documentation, and patient care. She shows empathy to our patients and their loved ones’ situations. This is evidenced in her interactions with them. She has a positive attitude. She has a contagious positive laugh that can make a work environment lighter.
She is excellent at communicating. She understands her audience and can tailor the education to their learning needs. This is helpful to ensure understanding of WellSpan policy and procedures to have positive patient outcomes.
She is a true role model for nurses and nursing students. An example is when she was doing CPR classes and was being observed as she gave the class. She did an excellent job. She was calm, did her job, and took on the role students usually take (being observed) in a professional way. This is one instance of many in which she is a role model for staff and students.
She displays flexibility by making herself available to many staff members at their convenience to provide meaningful education, such as restraint documentation. It is not uncommon to see her in our unit during huddle or during the day with one or several staff at a computer helping with documentation education. Speaking of huddle, she is an active participant at our daily huddle, providing very meaningful information such as policy and procedure updates.
Her relationships with students and staff, and her commitment to high-quality patient care, model a love of learning. Through her relationships, she helps make learning fun and easily accessible. That allows staff to feel more comfortable reaching out for help and then be more confident in their practice in the skill. Her teaching style establishes clear learning objectives. We always know what she is teaching and why it is needed. Her feedback is truthful and delivered in a positive, professional manner.
She works with people inside and outside of WellSpan, building collaborative relationships. She works with YCAL, local high schools, and other organizations on events to share what WellSpan offers these organizations and students. She works with many students to share her love of nursing.
She is a true nurse educator. This is why I nominate her for the WellSpan York Hospital 2026 Nurse Educator Award!
***
She's very supportive, flexible, approachable, and always willing to help staff. No matter what she is doing, she will stop, listen to you, and help you. There are many situations where she consistently goes above and beyond. One time, she was busy, and I hesitated to approach her, but she noticed me and asked if I needed help. She guided me on what to do, provided constructive feedback, and always presented information clearly and concisely. Another example is my coworker asking about RQI. She immediately offered to go with the staff to guide her on how to perform the RQI. She provided on-the-spot teaching on how to perform the task. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about her work. She deserves to win this award!