Kelly Calcagno, MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN
For Kelly Calcagno, nursing has always been personal. Long before she earned her nursing degree, she experienced healthcare through the eyes of a patient and a caregiver. Those early experiences shaped a lifelong passion for compassionate care, servant leadership, and advocating for the people who dedicate their lives to helping others. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Awardee, Kelly is using her voice to strengthen both patient care and the nursing profession from the bedside outward.
A Calling Born from Personal Experience
Kelly’s introduction to healthcare began in childhood while watching her father manage Type 1 diabetes. Curious about his treatment, she began helping administer his insulin injections at just seven years old. When she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes herself at the age of nine, what could have been an overwhelming experience instead became a source of inspiration.
The compassion and expertise shown by the nurses and physicians who cared for her left a lasting impression and sparked her dream of becoming a healthcare professional who could make that same difference in the lives of others.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lewis University in 2021, Kelly began her nursing career on the trauma medical-surgical unit at Advocate Christ Medical Center before advancing to the Medical Step-Down Unit and eventually the Medical Intensive Care Unit. Caring for critically ill patients and supporting their families through some of life’s most difficult moments has become one of the most meaningful aspects of her career.
Standing Beside the Nurses Who Care
Early in her nursing career, Kelly recognized the emotional and physical challenges facing bedside nurses. She witnessed burnout and moral injury not only in herself, but also among her colleagues and leaders. Rather than accepting those challenges as inevitable, she decided to become part of the solution.
Determined to advocate for nurses, Kelly returned to Lewis University to earn her Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Systems Leadership while becoming actively involved in Professional Governance. Although leadership opportunities soon followed, she realized her greatest passion remained with the nurses providing direct patient care every day.
Today, Kelly proudly serves as the Site President of Nursing Staff at Advocate Christ Medical Center, where she works alongside fellow nurse leaders to strengthen Professional Governance, encourage shared decision-making, and empower nurses to take ownership of their professional practice.
Empowering Others to Lead
For Kelly, leadership is not about stepping away from the bedside, it’s about ensuring bedside nurses have a voice. Through education, mentorship, and collaboration with executive nursing leaders, she has helped cultivate a culture where nurses are encouraged to lead, advocate, and shape the future of their profession.
She considers watching fellow nurses discover their confidence and embrace leadership to be one of the most rewarding experiences of her career. Whether supporting critically ill patients in the intensive care unit or helping colleagues grow into influential leaders, Kelly remains committed to creating environments where compassion, collaboration, and professional excellence can thrive.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly recognizes Kelly Calcagno as a 2026 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader for her dedication to patient care, nursing leadership, professional advocacy, and empowering bedside nurses. Through her passion for servant leadership and strengthening the nursing profession from within, she continues to inspire meaningful change for patients, colleagues, and healthcare organizations across Illinois.
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