Her Story
About Alyssa
Alyssa Lennon serves as Director of Nursing at Genesis Healthcare in skilled nursing. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the nursing department, supports staff assignments and needs through servant leadership, and leads the facility's QAPI program by identifying improvement projects and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team. Lennon returned to skilled nursing in December 2024 after an earlier period in the field beginning in 2013, and she also acts as pod leader for a group of five nursing homes. She is a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing earned in 2016, holds DNS-CT certification as a Certified Director of Nursing, and is a QAPI certified professional. She is currently enrolled in an MBA program to pursue regional and executive leadership roles. Lennon is a member of the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing and serves on the Nursing Practice Council for Genesis Healthcare. Her professional achievements include being named Director of Nursing of the Year for her market, receiving the Injury Achievement Award for 2024, and the 30-day rehospitalization Rate Achievement Award for 2024. She attributes her path to early experiences caring for her grandmother with Alzheimer's disease, which motivated her to enter nursing after her grandmother and sister, both nurses, and she moved into leadership as a nurse manager in 2013 to create broader impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alyssa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I started nursing at a really young age. I got my LPN when I was young, and my RN soon after, and then my bachelor's degree in 2016. Caring for my grandmother with Alzheimer's disease motivated me to become a caretaker. My grandmother and sister were nurses, leading me down the nursing path. I went right into leadership in 2013 as a nurse manager because I realized you can impact more lives as a leader.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always focus on being a servant leader and doing for others, because that will always shine through and make you the most successful by giving back to your community and people. Always be open to growth, challenges, and changes because that's what's going to make you a better person and a better leader.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be curious, humble, and remember why you started. Healthcare can be challenging and you don't do it for the money. Lead with compassion, always learn, and build strong relationships to make a bigger impact. Focus on why you started, never be afraid to ask questions, get outside your comfort zone, challenge yourself and push yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is living in a rural community with nursing shortages and not having a large pool of employees. The opportunity is also being in a rural community where we all know each other, which can be a strength to retain staff and build a reputation so nurses want to work here.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, compassion for others, and family guide me. Being a mom is really important, and I'm like a work mom. For work, lead by example, never ask anybody to do anything I wouldn't do, be accountable, treat everybody with kindness and respect, and work as a team.
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