A tribute to a life well lived

Learning of Loressa’s passing struck me deeply. She was such a wonderful colleague, a constant mentor, and a passionate nurse. And, she was very, very bright with many talents that made her so effective. I met her many years ago, as we were both chief nursing officers and networked through nursing leadership organizations. We became involved with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) through the Magnet Recognition® program as we supported our hospital’s pursuit of Magnet designation. I was so proud of Loressa, but not surprised, as she rose over the years through the national nursing leadership ranks to the position of CEO of the ANA Enterprise.

To know Loressa was to know caring. She would speak about her desire to become a nurse as she observed the work of the nurses who cared for her ill mother. She would remind us that “Caring for the Caregiver” was such an important role for leaders. Her caring ways and words were transparent from the bedside to the boardroom. She always embraced the expanded responsibilities that came her way, not seeing them as challenges but as opportunities.

We both shared a passion for nursing excellence. In her roles at the American Nurses Association and ANCC, she was always there for me to exchange ideas and contemplate our latest leadership trials and tribulations. For such a busy person, she always had time for everyone she interacted with. I admired across career journey—beginning as an associate degree nurse and achieving her doctorate in nursing practice from Case Western Reserve University. She would encourage me to get my doctorate degree, which I eventually did many years later.

I will miss Loressa. The entire nursing community will miss Loressa. But she leaves a lasting and memorable presence that can’t be forgotten. Truly, a life well lived.

Lillee Gelinas, DNP, RN, CPPS, FAAN

Editor-in-Chief