INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Kathleen Sarzyenski

For Kathleen Sarzyenski, the road to nursing wasn’t linear. In fact, when she first applied to nursing school in 2014, she described her journey through an unexpected metaphor making caramels. “I kept trying to get them just right adjusting the temperature, changing the pan, fine tuning the timing only to realize the problem wasn’t my effort. It was the recipe,” Kathleen recalls. “For years, I had been testing out career paths earning degrees in science and biomedical sciences, working in various roles but nothing fully clicked. I had the right ingredients: a love of science, a passion for mental health, and a drive to understand people. I just hadn’t accepted the recipe in front of me all along. My mom, of course, knew it the whole time she always told me I’d become a nurse.”

Building Mental Health Programs and Advancing Health Equity

After more than a decade at Rush University as a clinician, educator, and leader, Kathleen recently joined OSF Saint Anthony’s College of Nursing (SACN), where she is building a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program from the ground up. Her work is deeply influenced by her experiences in transitional, supportive housing facilities for justice impacted individuals, where listening to stories of injustice and resilience solidified her commitment to community driven, equitable, and sustainable care.

Innovating Education Through Technology

Kathleen is equally passionate about transforming nursing education by integrating artificial intelligence and chatbot technology to strengthen communication, boost confidence, and empower both students and faculty. Whether she is designing curriculum, mentoring students, or advocating for underserved populations, Kathleen leads with authenticity and purpose. For Kathleen, nursing was the recipe that finally fit, and she hasn’t looked back. “I am here to listen, to advocate, and to lead with authenticity, joy, and purpose,” she says.

The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly celebrates Kathleen Sarzyenski as a 2025 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader for her innovative approach to nursing education, dedication to advancing mental health, and commitment to equitable, person-centered care.

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