Grace Tervin McElmury, MSN, RN, CHPPN, CPN
For Grace Tervin McElmury, nursing is a profound privilege rooted in compassion, presence, and hope. Whether caring for children with serious illnesses, supporting families through grief, or preparing future nurses for meaningful careers, she believes every interaction is an opportunity to bring comfort, dignity, and love. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Awardee, Grace continues to make a lasting impact through pediatric palliative care, nursing education, and unwavering service to children and families.
A Calling to Care
Grace earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University in 2017 and began her career caring for patients on adult and pediatric stem cell transplant units. Those early experiences introduced her to the profound relationships nurses build with patients and families during life’s most challenging moments and inspired her to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Elmhurst University.
Driven by a desire to provide exceptional, compassionate care, Grace earned both her Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) and Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN) credentials. Her dedication to pediatric palliative and hospice nursing was further recognized in 2025 when she received the Emerging Leader Award from the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.
Bringing Comfort Through Compassion
Today, Grace serves as a pediatric palliative and hospice nurse with Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness while also educating future nurses as a visiting clinical instructor at the University of Illinois Chicago and an adjunct clinical instructor at Olivet Nazarene University.
She is passionate about combining pediatric palliative care with nursing education, helping students and new nurses develop the clinical knowledge, compassion, and confidence needed to care for children and families during vulnerable moments. Her professional interests in medical ethics, nurse well-being, and bereavement care reflect her belief that exceptional nursing extends beyond clinical treatment to supporting the emotional and spiritual needs of patients, families, and caregivers.
Finding Joy in Every Moment
Grace believes one of nursing’s greatest privileges is walking beside patients and families through both heartbreak and hope. One of her most meaningful experiences was helping organize and participate in Advocate Children’s inaugural Walk for Remembrance, providing bereaved families with an opportunity to honor and celebrate the lives of their children while finding comfort in community.
She remains deeply grateful for the encouragement of her family, colleagues, professors, and her faith, all of whom have shaped the nurse and educator she is today. Guided by compassion, humility, and a deep sense of purpose, Grace continues to celebrate life’s smallest moments while helping families navigate some of their most difficult ones with dignity, empathy, and love.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly recognizes Grace Tervin McElmury as a 2026 40 Under 40 Awardee for her dedication to pediatric palliative and hospice nursing, nursing education, bereavement support, and compassionate leadership. Through her commitment to serving children, families, and future nurses, she continues to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of those she is privileged to care for.
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