Kankakee Times

Three nurses from Riverside Healthcare have received recognition at the state level for their contributions to nursing leadership and innovation.

Whitney Trevino, BSN, RN, who manages the Medical-Pediatric Unit at Riverside, was named one of the Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 2025 “40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders.” Trevino has worked at Riverside for sixteen years and has advanced from a bedside nurse to a leadership role. She is recognized for her focus on patient and staff advocacy as well as her efforts to promote safety and professional growth within her team.

Erika Ohlendorf, MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN, serves as Director of Nursing at Riverside. She received the Future of Nursing Award from the Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders (IONL) during its annual conference in Lisle. The award is given to novice nurse leaders who show potential to influence the future of nursing through transformational leadership. Ohlendorf was honored for her commitment to developing leadership skills among nurses and improving patient care.

Liz Deck, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES, DNP, was awarded third place in a poster competition at the same IONL Conference. Her research presentation explored whether monthly newsletter communication can predict employee engagement among nursing staff. The project emphasized how internal communication may affect staff satisfaction and engagement.

“These recognitions highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of our nursing team at Riverside,” said Ellen Bollino, RN, MSN, CEN, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Riverside. “Whitney, Erika, and Liz each bring passion, compassion, and innovation to their work every day. Their accomplishments show the powerful impact nurses can have, not only in transforming patient care but also in inspiring those around them. We could not be prouder to see their hard work recognized at the state level.”

Riverside Healthcare extended congratulations to all three nurses for their achievements in representing excellence in nursing leadership.