INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Brittany Keenon
For Brittany Keenon, nursing began as a tribute to her late aunt, whose journey into the profession lit a spark in her. That early inspiration, paired with a love for science and a desire to help others, led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2008. Brittany began her career at Loyola University Medical Center on a cardiac telemetry unit, where she spent 14 years at the bedside and laid the foundation for her future in nursing leadership.
From Bedside to Leadership
Brittany’s passion for leadership took root early in her career, eventually guiding her to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University, where she became a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2017. In the last four years, she’s taken on the role of Clinical Nurse Leader, overseeing the very unit where she started, along with a medical-surgical unit. Her loyalty and dedication to her institution, affectionately calling herself a “Loyola Nurse for life”, have allowed her to grow within an environment that values mentorship and innovation.
Mentorship and Meaningful Change
Brittany credits one of her mentors, Nate Karch, a 2020 40 Under 40 honoree, with helping her discover her leadership potential. Today, she pays it forward by mentoring other nurses, enhancing onboarding and orientation programs, and leading initiatives that strengthen clinical safety and patient outcomes. One of her proudest accomplishments? Helping her institution reach top quartile performance in reducing patient falls with injury.
Leading with Compassion
After the unexpected loss of her father, Brittany developed a renewed commitment to compassionate care. She teaches nurses that while technical skills can be taught, compassion must be nurtured and that treating every patient like family can have a lasting impact. She’s made it her mission to cultivate that empathy in all her nurses.
Grounded in Gratitude and Family
Outside of work, Brittany finds joy in raising her young children, Lincoln and Madison, alongside her husband Kyle. Juggling toddler and newborn life, she continues to lead with heart both at home and at work, instilling compassion, confidence, and excellence in every nurse she touches.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly celebrates Brittany Keenon as a 2025 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader for her dedication to empowering the next generation, innovative healing research, nursing education, and leadership.
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