Susan Elliott, the director of Biola’s Department of Nursing, has been selected as one of 20 semi-finalists for the Johnson & Johnson’s “Amazing Nurses” national contest. The contest is designed to honor nurses for their dedication and hard work.

Elliott, who has served as a nurse practitioner and nurse educator on six continents, has an extensive background in health care and education. She served as director of an international health family nurse practitioner program, specialized in international health, missionary nursing and maternal/child health and is an inducted member of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau. Elliott has also worked in disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane George in the Dominican Republic.  She began her tenure at Biola as director of nursing in May 2008, and has played a significant role in the growth of the nursing program.

“I asked God to move this forward if he gets the glory,” Elliott said upon hearing of her nomination. “My global journey as a nurse practitioner and nurse educator is all because of God's grace, mercy, strength and guidance. I never imagined the doors God would open in my life.”

According to the contest website, Johnson & Johnson recognizes that nurses are the critical backbone of medical care in emergency rooms, hospitals, military facilities, clinics, schools, homeless shelters and nursing homes. The 'Amazing Nurses' contest provides an opportunity for families, patients and communities to celebrate the contributions of individual nurses.

A public vote conducted on Facebook will determine the five finalists. The winner will then be selected by a committee of five judges, all professionals in the medical field.  

The contest winner will attend the 2011 CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute live broadcast show in Los Angeles and will be featured in a television commercial sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. 

Voting is open to the public from Sept. 27 to Oct. 18. People may vote one time per day. To support Susan Elliott, vote or learn more at www.facebook.com/jnjnursingnotes.

Written by Heather Tanji, Media Relations Intern. For more information, please contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.eduor via phone at 562.777.4061.