INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Kristin Rothbart
Kristin Rothbart’s nursing career began on the orthopedic unit at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where she was surrounded by a team of supportive, clinically strong nurses. Early on, she experienced a culture of professional engagement that inspired her to become her unit’s representative on the Magnet Committee, contributing to Lutheran General’s third Magnet designation. This experience ignited Kristin’s interest in leadership and set her on a path toward completing a dual MSN/MBA through Lewis University. Kristin embraced every growth opportunity, which shaped her into a versatile, adaptable nursing leader with a broad skill set spanning clinical care, quality, and leadership.
Driving Quality and Innovation
Kristin transitioned into the Quality and Regulatory Department, where she spent over four years and ultimately became department manager. During this time, she earned her Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) credential and led several transformative initiatives, including:
- Establishing a hospital sepsis team ahead of CMS core measure implementation
- Leading efforts to secure the hospital’s first Hip and Knee Replacement accreditation from DNV
- Collaborating with leaders across departments to advance quality and regulatory standards
These experiences deepened her passion for system level improvements and collaborative leadership.
Leading with Purpose and Elevating Nursing
In 2019, Kristin returned to operational leadership as Clinical Nurse Manager for the orthopedic unit, later expanding her oversight to include oncology and bone marrow transplant units. In this role, she found fulfillment in advancing nurse engagement, retention, and clinical outcomes helping teams thrive while delivering exceptional patient care. Today, as Magnet and Nursing Excellence Manager at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Kristin focuses on elevating and celebrating nursing excellence. She partners with frontline nurses, educators, and hospital leaders to creatively solve challenges and highlight their contributions within Magnet documentation and beyond. Looking forward, Kristin aspires to one day serve as a Chief Nursing Officer, where she can shape environments that empower nurses and elevate patient care at the highest level.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation is proud to honor Kristin Rothbart as a 2025 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader for her dedication to quality, excellence, and the advancement of nursing leadership.
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