Linsey Paul’s dedication to the health care profession originated from a specific incident in her childhood.
At the tender age of 9, her family found themselves in the midst of a traumatic car accident, resulting in the urgent admission of her whole family to the emergency department. Stranded without support, Linsey experienced solace from an unexpected source – a compassionate emergency department nurse at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center.
This transformative encounter ignited Linsey’s resolve to become a beacon of support for others during their most vulnerable moments.
Linsey’s professional journey is underscored by a genuine and unwavering commitment to health care, a commitment that transcends a mere career choice and stands as a testament to her lifelong calling. She has navigated an illustrious career trajectory within our ministry, first starting as an emergency department supervisor. From there, she steadily rose through the ranks to assume roles of increasing responsibility, including managerial positions, inpatient director and currently, assistant chief nursing officer with our Springfield market.
Linsey’s journey is characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, marked by her commitment to patient care, leadership acumen and the ability to inspire and mentor her colleagues. Additionally, her rise through the organizational hierarchy is a testament to her exceptional skills, dedication and the positive impact she has made within the health care community.
Nursing leaders are measured against certain metrics, such as patient experience, length of stay and employee engagement. By this definition, Linsey possesses leadership skills that drive teams to take ownership of their practices and positively impact these metrics. However, when you engage Linsey in a conversation about leadership, it becomes evident that, for her, the essence of leadership goes beyond mere statistical achievements.
Linsey firmly believes that her primary responsibility as a leader is to serve as the “keeper of the culture.”
She steadfastly refuses to allow the small parts of management erode the core mission – the commitment to care for each person with dignity and respect. Linsey approaches every team member and patient with empathy, and advocates for what she deems essential in providing an exceptional patient experience and quality care.
With unwavering conviction, Linsey wholeheartedly believes that building trust within her team is paramount. She understands that trust must be established as the foundation, as only then will patients be receptive to and accepting of the care provided. Linsey’s leadership philosophy centers on fostering an environment where trust, empathy and a commitment to the core mission are not only upheld but also serve as the driving force behind the delivery of outstanding patient care.
Linsey extends her commitment by volunteering on the Community Emergency Management Committee. In this role, she collaborates with first responders, businesses and health care centers, contributing to proactive planning initiatives that aim to mitigate potential crises before they arise.
Her proactive involvement extends beyond the local arena as she participates on the Ohio Organizational Nurse Leader Legislative and Practice Council. She advocates for nurses on a broader scale, actively influencing legislative measures that impact the nursing profession.
Lindsey continues to pay forward the care and compassion that made such a difference to her so many years ago.
Read more stories celebrating our team members during Women’s History Month.
Also, learn more about the health care services we offer at Mercy Health.
