Success is not about the position you hold; it's about the lives you influence and the impact you leave behind.
Elia Stanko MSN, RN · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Elia
Elia Stanko, is a healthcare executive with more than 36 years of experience spanning clinical care, employee health, occupational health, workforce safety, and healthcare operations. She began her nursing career as a registered nurse in surgical intensive care and labor and delivery, building a strong foundation in patient care, clinical decision-making, and healthcare leadership. She later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University and Master of Science in Nursing in Leadership and Education from Mercy College of Ohio, continuing her commitment to advancing healthcare systems and supporting both patients and healthcare teams.
Throughout her career, Elia has progressed through roles of increasing responsibility, including serving as Regional Manager of Employee Health & Safety Services and most recently as System Director of Associate Health & Safety Services for Bon Secours Mercy Health. Since 2021, she provided enterprise-level leadership for workforce health, employee safety, regulatory compliance, injury prevention, leave and disability programs, and return-to-work initiatives. In 2024, her responsibilities expanded to include Clinical Performance Improvement, where she led efforts to enhance clinical quality across more than 100 urgent care and occupational health locations. A notable focus of her leadership has been creating proactive strategies that protect employees, improve operational outcomes, and build healthier, safer work environments.
Known for her strategic approach and ability to lead large-scale change, Elia has successfully developed programs, standardized processes, and implemented solutions that improve both employee experience and organizational performance. Her accomplishments include advancing digital transformation initiatives, strengthening workforce safety programs, and partnering with executive, clinical, and operational leaders to drive measurable improvements. Following organizational restructuring at Bon Secours Mercy Health, Elia is pursuing her next leadership opportunity with a healthcare organization where she can continue leveraging her expertise in clinical operations, workforce strategy, quality improvement, and employee well-being. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and shopping.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to bringing my authentic personality, strengths, and knowledge into everything I do while maintaining a commitment to continuous learning and preparation. I believe in doing thorough research, seeking accurate information, and practicing due diligence before making decisions or providing guidance. This approach has helped me build trust, create meaningful relationships, and earn the respect of others through my values, consistency, and strong work ethic.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to understand your audience and the vision behind the work you are doing. Success comes from knowing the purpose, goals, and desired outcomes of a project while effectively communicating the “why” behind your efforts. I also believe it is important to stay true to yourself, lead with kindness, and build collaborative relationships based on trust and shared understanding.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering my industry to understand their audience, represent themselves confidently, and use data and insights to support their ideas and decisions. It is important to stay authentic, lead with integrity, continue developing your skills, and never stop learning. Growth comes from remaining curious, open to feedback, and committed to becoming the best version of yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Healthcare is evolving rapidly, creating both challenges and opportunities. It is essential to stay focused on the patient, remain informed on current research, best practices, and regulatory standards, and continue looking for ways to improve outcomes. While organizations are navigating leaner operations and increased workloads following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are significant opportunities to strengthen patient experiences, improve operational efficiency, and align clinical and business perspectives to proactively support patient safety.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is one of the most important values I carry in my work and personal life. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, maintaining a strong work ethic, and treating every person with respect regardless of their role or title. I strive to empower others, lead with professionalism, and approach every interaction with sincerity because genuine relationships and trust create lasting impact.
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