Hartford Business Journal

HEALTHCARE HEROES | 2025 AWARDS HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 6, 2025 B7 Winner Category | Nurse Susan Drakeley Adjunct Professor/Registered Nurse — consultant Post University/Waterbury Hospital S usan Drakeley, RN, brings more than 27 years of experience in labor and delivery, perioperative care and clinical leadership. She recently became an adjunct professor at Post University in the nursing school and as an LMS administrator at Waterbury Hospital, where she has led employee health initiatives, vaccination clinics and quality improvement efforts. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? I served as a liaison during both Department of Public Health and Joint Commission visits, helping ensure a strong outcome by drawing on my expe- rience across different roles in nursing and leadership. I also completed my master's in nursing in management and organiza- tional leadership, which allowed me to better support the organization through ongoing challenges in health care. Recognizing the growing need for nursing instructors, I transitioned into education — an opportunity to invest in the next generation of nurses and encourage colleagues who want to advance their careers. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. One of the greatest challenges was shifting from managing a clinical unit to coordinating mass vaccination clinics during COVID. e project's pace, scope and uncertainty were initially overwhelming. With teamwork and determination, we built a process that served our community effectively and safely. at experience taught me the importance of adaptability, collaboration and leading with calm under pressure. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? My next goal is to begin my teaching career in nursing education while continuing to grow as both a clinician and leader. I'm excited to share my knowledge and experiences with students, and I also look forward to learning from them. Being part of the Post University community is both a privilege and an exciting new chapter, and I'm eager to embrace the opportunities ahead. Winner Category | Nurse Caitlin Cote Director, Center for Education Gaylord Specialty Healthcare C aitlin Cote (MSN, RN, PCCN, NPD-BC) began her career at Gaylord 15 years ago as a patient care tech before becoming a nurse. As nurse educator, she helped launch initiatives including the CNA Academy and Nurse Residency. As the first director of Gaylord's Center for Education, she leads the transformation of clinical and non-clin- ical education, and fosters interdisciplinary excellence within Gaylord and across the broader healthcare community. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? is year, I became director of Gaylord's Center for Education, leading a team of inter- disciplinary clinical educators and expanding Gaylord's educational programming. e CNA Academy graduated 40 students and earned approval from the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, while the Nurse Residency Program welcomed its largest cohort to date. I was instrumental in leading the implementation of an online learning management system that offers thousands of clinical and non-clinical courses. My work to unify education across disciplines has strengthened professional development, streamlined continuing education, and established a robust training calendar with plans underway to share Gaylord's expertise externally. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. Staff education has always been a priority at Gaylord Hospital, but without a centralized home, efforts were spread across multiple departments, creating redundancies and limiting efficiency. I have worked to unify these efforts by breaking down silos and building a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach. is model fosters collaboration, creates new efficiencies and ensures that all staff members have access to high-quality, integrated learning and professional development opportunities. What's your next major goal? My goal is to keep growing Gaylord's education programs by expanding residency and fellowship opportunities and creating new interprofessional training programs. I want to build a strong pipeline that prepares skilled, compassionate clinicians for the future. Our Healthcare Heroes Think Possible Scan to learn more gaylord.org Caitlin Cote, MSN, RN Director, Center for Education Dr. Alyse Sicklick Medical Director, Inpatient Rehabilitation Richard Sills Brain Injury Peer Mentor Transforming interdisciplinary education within Gaylord and the healthcare community. A career of helping people with acquired brain injuries move forward with purpose. Shares his own stroke journey with Gaylord patients, offering hope that "recovery is possible." Nurse Physician Volunteer

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