Nurses have long been the steady hands and compassionate hearts at the bedside. But increasingly, they are also the strategic voices in boardrooms, policy discussions and executive offices. At St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, graduates are redefining what it means to be a leader in healthcare, merging clinical excellence with visionary leadership and a heart for service.
Two alumnae, Jess Corbin, MSN, RN and Star Meyer, JD, BSN, RN, exemplify this evolution. Both have navigated diverse and complex leadership roles, using their nursing backgrounds as a foundation to shape care delivery, advocate for patients and influence the systems that drive healthcare forward.
Rooted in Purpose, Formed by Experience
For Jess Corbin, the call to care came early. As the oldest of five siblings, nurturing others felt like second nature. “I had the calling at a young age,” she said. “At St. Elizabeth, instructors saw leadership in me before I saw it in myself.”
Jess’s career began at the bedside and spanned more than two decades within Franciscan Health. Her journey took a pivotal turn after a back surgery forced her to reconsider her future in direct patient care.
Rather than stepping away from nursing, she embraced new opportunities in case management, where she coordinated care across emergency, inpatient and outpatient settings. Eventually, she took on director-level roles overseeing system-wide transitions of care, emergency services, trauma programs and more, as the Chief Nursing Officer for Franciscan Health in Western Indiana, where she currently works.
“I truly feel that having both inpatient and ambulatory experiences has helped me understand how nursing plays a critical role in all areas of healthcare,” she said.
Our profession continues to evolve, and we must embrace both the art and the science of nursing.
For Star Meyer, nursing offered both personal and professional purpose. A teen mom, she needed a career that would allow her to support her family while making a meaningful impact. St. Elizabeth’s three-year diploma program with a BSN pathway gave her the structure she needed.
“The program was a lifeline,” Star said. “It allowed me to enter the workforce quickly and begin a fulfilling career. My instructors gave me a vision that nursing could be a platform for leadership, advocacy and change.”
Her path led from bedside care to executive leadership. She has served as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Practice Officer across IU Health. Today, she leads as the Chief Nursing Officer for the IU Health West Region. In 2020, she added a law degree to her resume, graduating from IU McKinney School of Law and earning a Health Law Certificate.
“My nursing background has been the foundation of every step in my journey,” she said. “It has shaped my leadership, my legal training and my deep commitment to equitable, patient-centered care.”
Leading With Compassion and Clarity
While their roles differ, both Jess and Star are united by a shared leadership philosophy—leading by example, with integrity and staying rooted in service. “I believe in leading with compassion, listening first and creating environments where people feel seen and inspired to grow,” Star said. “Leadership should always be grounded in the values that brought us to nursing in the first place.”
Jess echoes that sentiment. Her approach emphasizes open communication, relationship-building and staying connected to the front lines. She regularly rounds with teams and meets with leaders to understand what’s working and where support is needed.
“Change is hard, but necessary,” she said. “Staying close to the work helps ensure we’re meeting real needs, not just checking boxes.”
I’ve never forgotten what it feels like to care for someone in their most vulnerable moment.
Both leaders draw deeply from their experiences in direct patient care, which remains central to their decision-making. “Every policy affects a real person and their family,” Star said.
Their leadership was especially tested during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Star, the experience was the most challenging—and the most meaningful—chapter of her career. “It required rapid decision-making during uncertainty, and it tested every aspect of leadership including communication, adaptability and emotional intelligence,” she said. “The teams I led showed incredible resilience. It was a privilege to support them.”
Faith as a Compass
At the heart of their leadership is a deep connection to the values instilled at St. Elizabeth—compassion, dignity, stewardship and a holistic approach to care.
Jess credits the legacy of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration with shaping her core values. “Their mission lives on in the care we deliver,” she said. “I try to live those values daily—respect for life, fidelity to our mission, compassionate concern, joyful service and Christian stewardship.”
Star’s leadership is similarly grounded in a people-centered ethos. “I strive to make thoughtful decisions that consider the well-being of the whole person—whether that’s a patient, colleague or team member,” she said. “Holistic care isn’t just a philosophy. It’s a way of leading.”
Shaping the Future of Nursing
As healthcare grows more complex, both women see nurse leaders as essential to innovation, strategy and sustainability. “Nurse leaders must be systems-minded, clinically skilled and equity-focused,” Star said.
We need leaders who can advocate, adapt and guide interdisciplinary teams through transformation.
Jess emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and mentoring the next generation. “We must be ready to support the future of nursing— our students, our staff and our communities,” she said. “Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about making a difference.”
Their current work reflects that vision. Star leads initiatives to redesign care models, improve team member well-being and strengthen the nursing pipeline. Jess continues to shape nursing operations across Franciscan Health, overseeing programs that support both staff and patient transitions of care.
The Legacy of St. Elizabeth
Both alumnae are quick to credit their formation at St. Elizabeth for setting them on the path to leadership.
“The school blends rigorous clinical training with realworld bedside education,” Star said. “It taught me how to think critically, advocate effectively and lead with heart.”
Jess agrees. “You’re treated like a person, not a number,” she said. “From day one, you learn by doing. That early, hands-on experience gave me confidence and prepared me for the complexities of nursing today.”
Today, Jess remains closely connected to the school, rounding with students and sharing her journey. “It’s an honor to be part of the legacy,” she said. “I’m proud to be a nurse and to lead an incredible team of professionals.”
In a world where healthcare is constantly evolving, the need for compassionate, capable nurse leaders has never been greater. St. Elizabeth School of Nursing continues to prepare nurses like Jess and Star to answer that call with courage, conviction and a commitment to care that goes beyond the bedside.
As seen in the The Lamp Fall 2025 issue
