Illinois 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award Winner Highlight: Katy Behling
Meet Katy Behling, the System Director of Care Coordination for Edward-Elmhurst Health. She has been nominated for the class of 2023 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award. Designed to highlight young nurses that are making a lasting difference in the healthcare industry, this award celebrates those who shape the future of nursing.
Katy Behling: Transforming Patient Care and Advocating for Community Health
The healthcare industry calls for remarkable individuals to lead care efforts. Katy Behling is a true example of leadership. Her innovative leadership style has helped bridge the gap between healthcare specialties in hospitals, and as a result, elevates patient care. Katy’s efforts in nursing have not only enhanced the quality of care provided but have also positively impacted the well-being of her community. Her ability to bring people together truly reflects the essence of transformational leadership within the healthcare industry.
Pioneering Complex Transitions and Transfers
Katy recognized a significant gap in the hospital-to-hospital transfer process, an area often complicated and overlooked. Instead of sticking to the status quo, she established a groundbreaking Complex Transitions and Transfer Center. This center orchestrates seamless transfers, optimizing patient outcomes and minimizing delays in accessing critical care. The center’s reach extends across three counties and even transcends national borders, coordinating air flight transfers when necessary. Last year, this initiative processed 1,285 cases, saving unnecessary emergency department visits and ensuring timely access to medically necessary care.
Leading Through Active Involvement
Leadership is often exemplified through active participation and dedication to professional growth. Katy’s engagement with the American Case Management Association (ACMA) Illinois Chapter exemplifies this ethos. As an ACMA member, she actively champions the cause of case management, a multidisciplinary process that hinges on holistic patient care. Hosting an educational conference and participating in panel discussions, she contributes to the advancement of the field, enabling peers to enhance their knowledge and skill set.
Beyond the hospital walls, Katy’s commitment to community health shines brightly. Volunteerism and outreach are integral aspects of her nursing philosophy. She has shared her expertise through webinars, educating senior living community residents on navigating hospital experiences with reduced stress. In a panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap between Hospitals and SNFs,” she played an instrumental role in fostering collaboration between healthcare institutions. As a Red Cross volunteer, she steps up during times of personal disasters, ensuring that victims’ medical needs are promptly addressed.
A Beacon of Compassion and Advocacy
In her role as a Care Coordinator, Katy embodies the essence of nursing by touching lives at multiple levels of healthcare. Recognizing the critical role of caring relationships, she has engaged with community partners to address social determinants of health. Her program, designed to assess and address patient needs by connecting them with relevant community resources, has significantly improved individuals’ quality of life, ultimately influencing population health outcomes.
Katy Behling:
Katy’s dedication to nursing and transformative leadership is an inspiration to both her colleagues and the broader healthcare community. Through her innovative thinking and unwavering commitment, she has proven herself as a driving force behind improved patient care, streamlined processes, and strengthened community connections.
Congratulations to Katy Behlling and Edward-Elmhurst Health for this prestigious honor! The Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Award for Emerging Nurse Leaders is proven to open career doors for its recipients. INF is proud to celebrate nurses like Katy who have made a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.
For more information on the INF 40 Under 40 Award Ceremony, click this link.
Illinois Nurses Foundation: Support Education, Advocation, and Recognition for Nurses
The Illinois Nurses Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports nurses through various programs, empowering them, promoting excellence, and advancing the nursing profession while also recognizing and celebrating the remarkable achievements of young nurses through the INF 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award, highlighting their talent and potential for the field’s growth and evolution. Donate to INF today, and you can help empower nurses and improve healthcare!