Sarah Makina BSN, RN, CEN is the Manager of Clinical Operations at Advocate Christ Medical Center. She has been nominated for the Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 40 Under 40 Awards by Edward Gutierrez for her passion for community health, commitment to eliminating healthcare disparities, and dedication to nursing education make her a true leader in the field.
Sarah has been awarded the 2024 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.
Transformational Leadership and Innovation
Over the past several years, Sarah has redefined what it means to lead in the nursing field. She revitalized the Unit Council to foster engagement, encouraging her team to contribute to improved processes and outcomes. Sarah introduced new care models and innovative processes that have notably enhanced both Emergency Department (ED) throughput and overall patient and staff satisfaction.
A key initiative led by Sarah was the implementation of an aggression screening tool, which works in tandem with public safety teams and trauma outreach workers to deliver a trauma-informed approach to de-escalation. This innovation has been critical in creating a safer and more supportive environment for both patients and staff.
Achieving Outstanding Outcomes
Sarah’s leadership is evident in the remarkable improvements her department has achieved. Under her guidance, the rate of patients leaving without being seen has dramatically decreased from 14.5% to 3%. Barcode medication administration scanning accuracy rose from 55% to an impressive 90%, and Sepsis outcomes improved from a composite score of 50 to 129, just shy of a stretch target of 130.
In addition, Sarah has fostered a culture of professional growth within her team. Her department has seen a rise in teammates participating in the clinical ladder program and achieving board certification, contributing to a decline in turnover from over 24% to just 10%. This focus on education, development, and transparent communication has made a lasting impact on both the team and patient care quality.
Community Engagement and Workplace Advocacy
Sarah’s dedication extends beyond her workplace into the community. She has organized and led numerous community engagement activities, such as stroke outreach programs, wellness walks, and adopt-a-family initiatives, fostering a culture of service that inspires her teammates to actively participate in supporting their community.
One of Sarah’s primary advocacy goals is addressing workplace violence in the Emergency Department. She has already taken critical steps by implementing new initiatives to reduce violence and understand its effects on her team. Her advocacy is a testament to her commitment to creating a safer work environment and supporting her colleagues.
Commitment to Professional Development
In addition to her leadership role, Sarah is an Illinois Organization of Nursing Leadership (IONL) Nurse Manager Fellow and an active member of both IONL and the American Organization of Nurse Leaders. She is currently advancing her education through a dual Master’s program (MSN/MBA), further equipping her with the tools to excel as a nursing leader. Board-certified and dedicated to mentoring others, Sarah exemplifies the values of continuous learning and professional development.
Sarah Makina: a Transformational Leader in Nursing
Sarah’s accomplishments illustrate the positive impact of innovative leadership and advocacy in nursing. Her dedication to creating a safe, engaging, and effective healthcare environment serves as an inspiration for the nursing community, and her recognition as a 40 Under 40 Nursing Award winner is well deserved.
Congratulations to Sarah Makina and Advocate Christ Medical Center 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 Sarah who have made a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.
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