Lindsay Hong MSN, RN, CRRN is a Nurse Manager at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. She has been nominated for the Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 40 Under 40 Awards by Sharon Rangel for her passion for community health, commitment to eliminating healthcare disparities, and dedication to nursing education make her a true leader in the field.
Lindsay 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.
A Journey of Dedication and Growth
Lindsay’s journey in healthcare is rooted in her diverse experiences. Before her current role, she served as a Patient Care Technician at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and worked as an RN in a Telemetry unit in Portland, Oregon. Lindsay holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from DePaul University and is an active member of the American Nurses Association, the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Since taking on the Nurse Manager role in April 2022, she has developed a reputation as a leader with a unique blend of compassion and creativity.
Building a Culture of Wellness and Engagement
One of Lindsay’s standout initiatives was her “March Wellness” program, inspired by the NCAA’s March Madness. This innovative, month-long event focused on three pillars: staff wellness, team wellness, and patient wellness. With a calendar of daily activities—including team-building challenges, staff recognition events, food, games, and interdisciplinary collaboration—Lindsay fostered an atmosphere of engagement and positivity. Her initiative catered to all shifts, ensuring that every team member had the opportunity to participate.
The impact of March Wellness was clear: improved staff morale, enhanced collaboration, and a stronger sense of unity. Sixty-five staff members received personalized recognition, and fifty-five participated in team games. Additionally, educational sessions on patient safety, particularly around preventing tracheostomy decannulation, led to an impressive reduction in decannulations—from 75% to just 10%.
Commitment to Nurse Retention and Team Culture
In a time when nurse retention is a challenge, Lindsay has excelled, maintaining an exceptionally low turnover rate. With a team of 28.9 RN FTEs, only two nurses have left in the past 18 months, a testament to Lindsay’s commitment to creating a supportive and respectful workplace. Her approach involves setting clear expectations, empowering her team to find creative solutions, and fostering a sense of accountability. Lindsay relaunched a staff-led unit council that emphasizes staff engagement, recognition, and quarterly celebrations, enhancing team cohesion and satisfaction.
Lindsay’s impact on her team goes beyond management; she is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders. She invests time in mentoring her clinical nurse coordinator, clinical nurse leader, and clinical instructor, ensuring that her legacy of compassionate, innovative leadership will continue to flourish.
Lindsay Hong: An Award-Winning Leader Shaping the Future of Nursing
Lindsay Hong’s recognition as a 40 Under 40 award winner is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her contributions to the nursing profession. Through her creativity, leadership, and dedication to fostering a supportive environment, Lindsay has transformed her unit into a place where staff feel valued, engaged, and united. As a leader at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Lindsay continues to inspire others, proving that with a compassionate approach and a commitment to innovation, one person can make a profound impact on the lives of both patients and colleagues.
Congratulations to Lindsay Hong and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab 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 Lindsay who have made a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.
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