Moranda Matheson, MBA, MSN, RN
For Moranda Matheson, nursing is about creating systems that allow compassion to thrive. From beginning her career during the COVID-19 pandemic to advancing nursing education, advocacy, and healthcare innovation, she has remained committed to improving the experiences of both patients and nurses. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Awardee, Moranda continues to lead with the belief that meaningful change happens when nurses are empowered to improve not only individual patient outcomes, but the healthcare systems that support them.
Building a Career with Purpose
Moranda’s nursing journey began during one of the most challenging periods in modern healthcare, the COVID-19 pandemic. Entering the profession during this unprecedented time strengthened both her clinical skills and her understanding of the complexities of healthcare delivery.
Throughout her career, she has gained experience in critical care, emergency medicine, corrections, and nursing education while continuing her own academic growth by earning both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Nursing Education. By combining clinical knowledge with an understanding of healthcare operations, Moranda has developed a unique perspective on how strong leadership and thoughtful systems can improve patient care.
Creating Better Systems for Better Care
Moranda is passionate about building healthcare environments where nurses can focus more of their time on caring for patients and less time navigating unnecessary barriers. She believes nurses play a critical role in shaping healthcare beyond the bedside through education, advocacy, innovation, and collaboration.
Her commitment to systems improvement has led her to develop partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations, support the education of future nurses, and advocate through both the American Nurses Association and ANA-Illinois. She also created a recycling initiative that redirects expired but unused hospital supplies to nursing and healthcare education programs for simulation training, reducing waste while expanding educational opportunities for future healthcare professionals.
Leading with the Patient at the Center
Some of the experiences that have influenced Moranda the most have been moments when complex ethical decisions challenged her to think deeply about what truly serves the patient’s best interests. Those experiences reinforced her belief that every healthcare decision should begin and end with the patient.
Guided by that philosophy, Moranda remains committed to advancing compassionate, ethical, and patient-centered care through leadership, education, and advocacy. As an active member of the American Nurses Association, ANA-Illinois, and a student member of the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing, she continues to champion initiatives that strengthen both the nursing profession and the healthcare system. Her vision for the future is simple yet powerful: to help build systems that allow nurses to provide the compassionate, equitable, and exceptional care every patient deserves.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly recognizes Moranda Matheson as a 2026 40 Under 40 Awardee for her dedication to nursing leadership, education, advocacy, and healthcare innovation. Through her commitment to improving systems and empowering future nurses, she continues to advance compassionate, patient-centered care across Illinois.
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