You want to unleash your leadership potential, but it’s not always easy.
You care about building genuine connections with the people around you while creating significant impact.
But you aren’t sure how to manage complex relationships or conflicts at work and that’s keeping you from bringing about the change you want to lead.
Let’s figure it out together.
Here’s What I know about you
You’re a mission-driven healthcare leader who wants to lean in to make significant change from the inside out.
You’re already making a difference in your field, but you still have even bigger aspirations to realize.
Missions like:
Curbing the epidemic of burnout among healthcare workers
Nurturing a supportive learning environment geared towards clinician well-being
Seeking funding for projects to achieve high impact system change
Improving health equity, addressing structural racism, and helping everyone receive a fair and just opportunity for health and well-being
Strengthening your organization to be more inclusive, patient centered and compassionate
You’re ready to stop second guessing yourself and become a more effective leader so you can better support the people in your care.
That’s where I come in.
Hello and Welcome
I’m Sue Hassmiller.
I’m an executive and leadership coach for nurse executives and other healthcare professionals. I’m committed to helping these professionals reach new heights with their leadership capabilities and transition to new jobs and careers.
I’ve worked as a nurse in clinical settings, taught in schools of nursing, responded in major national disasters, and worked at the highest levels of government and nonprofit sectors. I’ve worked in healthcare philanthropy for 25 years, led major national initiatives on health care transformation and I’m an expert in policy advocacy strategy. I have been recognized in my field as a national change agent, focusing on the possibilities and inspiring leaders for the future.
My clients most appreciate my insights into the many different worlds within the vast field of healthcare, and my ability to view all sides before reaching a conclusion.
When they work with me, they’re better able to navigate complex interpersonal relationships, fundraising opportunities, and organizational structures while developing their leadership skills. My expertise is in helping leaders identify and act on their potential for significant change.
Testimonial for Sue
Improved work and personal relationships and greater balance in my life
“Through coaching with Sue, I have learned to recognize and resolve past issues and traumas that I was unknowingly allowing to impact my day-to-day interactions.
Sue challenges me to dig deeper into my reactions to certain situations. She is trustworthy, encouraging, and patient. She is an insightful guide through professional and life experiences in my pursuit to be a better me professionally and personally.
Thanks to Sue, I have improved work and personal relationships and found greater balance in my life.”
— Rhoda Murray, Ph.D., NP-C
Director NP Education & Dean NP Programs
My purpose
My experience with loss, grief and resetting led to a new purpose.
In 2016, I lost my husband to a biking accident. Bob lived as a quadriplegic for 10 days in the intensive care unit (ICU).
The clinicians who treated him were highly skilled, but their focus was on numbers, protocols, and computerized decision-making tools. Even with my decades of experience as a nurse, I was shocked at how they failed to acknowledge who my husband and I were as people.
This lack of compassion made the most difficult time in my life infinitely worse.
It took me a long time, but with the support of family, friends, and colleagues, I learned to work through the profound grief and heal.
It was during this healing process that I realized that there wasn’t much time left on this earth. I had of course known that there were no guarantees, that life was short and that we should make the most of every moment — but it all suddenly hit home.
I channeled my energy into finding meaning and purpose in my life, and found a clear answer: to share lessons from my own painful experience, so that others facing the pain of loss may receive more compassionate care from their health care providers.
I’m committed to helping the next generation of nursing and other healthcare professionals become better leaders, equipped not only with technical skills and expertise, but also with human care and compassion.
You have a crucial role to play in ensuring that all patients and family members receive the best and most compassionate care.
Book
Resetting: An Unplanned Journey of Love, Loss, and Living Again
After Bob’s bike accident, I kept a journal in the form of a blog to get information out to our friends and family. After he died, I continued to pour out my feelings and profound grief to more than one thousand people who signed up to receive my blog.
I began to hear from readers about how much my words were helping them. My words contained lessons for their own lives, thoughts about how to handle their own or another’s grief, and how to pay more attention to loved ones.
Eventually, I published my account as a book so that more people could learn important lessons about grief, love, life and — because I am a nurse — health care.
Resetting is available on Amazon.
My Experience & Expertise
I’ve dedicated my life to nursing.
My experience across different sectors means that I can truly understand your points of view, the challenges you face, and the technical language of your field of expertise.
I started my career providing frontline care, working in public health settings at the local and state levels. I’ve taught community health nursing at the University of Nebraska and George Mason University in Virginia.
I’ve also worked in government, serving with the Health Resources & Services Administration as executive director of the U.S. Public Health Service Primary Care Policy Fellowship.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the largest health and healthcare philanthropy in the United States, was my professional home for the past 25 years. I directed The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative to help people live healthier lives by ensuring that nurses are essential partners in providing care.
I’m an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, and I served as National Chair of the 9/11 Recovery Program for the American Red Cross.
Most recently, I became a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) so that I can better support you as a healthcare and nonprofit expert and a certified coach.
Awards & Recognition
I’m deeply honored to be recognized by these industry leaders.
I’m an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.
In 2019 I received the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest award given by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
I’ve received four honorary doctorates.
In 2021 I was selected as a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing.
Testimonial for Sue
Working with Sue has boosted my confidence and career.
“She has been insightful, intentional — and simply amazing! I began my coaching with the intent to define and develop my career path as I approached a fork in the road.
With Sue’s guidance and coaching, I feel like a light bulb has turned on and I have newfound clarity. I only wish that I had connected with Sue sooner.”
— Melanie Logue, PhD, DNP, APRN, CFNP, FAANP
Phoenix Campus President at Chamberlain University
Fun Facts
A few personal details…
I love being active. My hobbies include hiking, biking, swimming, and dancing.
Lew and I live in North Carolina, where we can be closer to my grandchildren, John and Abigail.
I have a soft spot for Talbots.
I enjoy reading books and articles about history, especially about the American Civil War (because of my connection to the Red Cross).
Clara Barton (the founder of the the American Red Cross) and Florence Nightingale (the founder of modern nursing) are my heroes.
Ready to become a more effective, more compassionate leader?
You have the potential to lead on a bigger stage.
It’s not only possible, but necessary, in order to improve the healthcare system. We need professionals like you to step forward and become better leaders.
I’m here to help and cheer you on.
Find out more about our private coaching program, and how you and I can work together.