Carmen Ward-Sullivan, PhD, RN

I would attribute my success to my strong family foundation and the values that were instilled in me from an early age. My parents were very intentional about guiding us toward careers that would sustain us throughout life and keep us happy. They didn't choose for us, but they made it a priority to expose us to different possibilities and help us think critically about our future. A big part of that guidance was rooted in our Christian faith, helping us understand who God has created us to be and what our contribution to society might look like. Rather than focusing on quick decisions or external pressures, they encouraged us to really think about our calling. That foundation has stayed with me and shaped how I approach my own path, how I make decisions, and how I understand success, not just as achievement, but as alignment with purpose and service.

I would encourage young women to intentionally surround themselves with individuals who are already doing the work they aspire to do. That is where real learning and growth happen, and where they can begin to meaningfully map their own journey. Learn from those in the field, both women and men in nursing, by observing their paths and asking thoughtful, even difficult questions: What are the rewards? What are the challenges? What brings fulfillment, and what feels most difficult? At the same time, as they take in these perspectives and begin to shape their own direction, it is essential to recognize that their path is uniquely their own. There is no need to replicate someone else's journey. Take what you learn and map out your own direction with clarity, with confidence, and with authenticity, so that you know it belongs to you. Most importantly, be proud of who you are, your voice, your perspective, and the values that you hold and bring to the spaces that you enter. It's needed to make nursing as holistic as it is today. Never dilute yourself to gain acceptance in any space that you enter.

At the core of my work and personal life is my strong commitment to authenticity. I never want to lose sight of who I am, the values I hold, and the gifts that I bring to this world. I truly believe that everyone has this unique light, and it's our responsibility to allow our light to shine in every space, every place, every room that we enter. I want to make sure that we never lower the value that we hold for ourselves or lower that standard to fit into someone else's box. There is a place and space for everyone's unique gifts. I've been in situations sometimes where I feel like I have to lower my standard or lower myself so that I don't make someone else feel uncomfortable, but I don't want to do that. I want to be authentic with myself, and I tell my daughters this as well: don't ever do that. Rest is also incredibly important to me, rest and restoration and reflection, because if I keep my mind busy, I really lose myself. That rest and restoration and reflection allows me to replenish what I've poured out and reflect on whether my work was helpful to someone else and also beneficial to me. Any work that I do, whether community service or philanthropic work, I want to make sure that I'm intentional about that work, that it's not just doing something to gain attention. When the chief in Ghana wanted to name the clinic after me, I encouraged him to name it after someone that held meaning to their community instead, because it's the first and it's historic, and I thought that would hold stronger value for them. He listened reluctantly, but I was surprised to find my name above one of the rooms, which I understand because of their culture of honoring people that have given so much to them.