Judy H. Gilliam (Class of 2020)
Judy H. Gilliam distinguished herself as a nurse administrator for over 45 years. She started her career at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in 1989 after spending approximately 20 years in numerous nursing leadership positions in hospitals and medical centers in Georgia and Kansas, including being the chief nursing officer at Overland Park Regional Medical prior to coming to Ohio. She then went on to achieve great success in multiple roles within the medical center, including associate executive director, chief operating officer, chief nursing officer, and administrator of patient care services.
As a nurse leader, Gilliam sought to create an environment for professional nursing practice that would attract nursing graduates and in which all nurses would continue to learn and excel in their professional specialties. She was very focused on working with nurses to continue to improve patient outcomes, safety and patient satisfaction in collaboration with medical staff leadership. Throughout her career, she poured her heart and soul into her work, relentlessly focusing on improving patient care and empowering staff to go above and beyond to help accomplish change. Two of Gilliam’s greatest strengths were fostering strong relationships and creating opportunities for others, both in and outside the medical center, which enabled her to achieve many goals.
Her skill at interprofessional collaboration made her the right person to lead a state-wide taskforce to update the requirements for maternity licensure of hospitals in Ohio. She facilitated close collaboration with the Ohio Department of Health and the hospitals, thus achieving the necessary balance between the two groups for success of the initiative. Through her persistence, updated requirements went into effect in September, 2008. For her leadership, she was recognized by the Ohio Senate for exemplary community service in 2009.
Gilliam also contributed her expertise to professional organizations including the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Region V, and as president of the Ohio Organization of Nursing Executives. She was a member of the Nursing Spectrum advisory board, the review panel for Nursing Leadership Forum, and was an adjunct faculty member for The Ohio State University College of Nursing’s Master’s Administration and Master’s in Hospital Administration.
Gilliam holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Administration. She was a Johnson and Johnson Wharton Fellow. She embodies the selfless, genuine, honest and visionary qualities that have made her a positive force within the nursing profession in central Ohio for many decades.