2024 Health Care Champions Administrator: Gina Ellerbee

Gina Ellerbee, administrative director of nursing practice for CoxHealth, has a knack for identifying improvement opportunities and developing practical strategies to address them effectively.

That’s according to CoxHealth Chief Nursing Officer Beth Polivka, who has worked with Ellerbee for around 12 years.

“One of Gina’s most impressive qualities is her relentless pursuit of innovation,” Polivka says. “She possesses a rare combination of creativity and pragmatism.”

Polivka cited Ellerbee’s work in leading CoxHealth to become the first in the region to receive American Nurses Credentialing Center accreditation for its nursing residency program. CoxHealth also received a second accreditation for its international nursing fellowship, becoming the first to be designated in the United States, Polivka says.

“This recognition is a testament to her outstanding leadership skills, strategic vision and ability to drive meaningful change that makes a difference, creating national recognition of her work,” Polivka says.

Ellerbee, who has worked at CoxHealth for nearly three decades, says she’s motivated in her endeavors by a desire to help others and make a positive difference in their lives.

“I am driven by compassion, empathy and a commitment to provide high-quality care to patients and their families. The opportunity to alleviate suffering, promote healing and support individuals during challenges can be incredibly rewarding for nurses,” she says. “Whether supporting a new graduate nurse through their transition to professional practice or assisting a new person to the health care arena by sponsoring their training fees in a certified nursing assistant training program, I seek to support others to find the same joy and satisfaction in a career helping others.”

Ellerbee says she’s examining her legacy as she starts “to look toward the end of my professional career.”

She says, “My focus is on what I can do to assist those coming after me to be successful, satisfied and effective caregivers.”

Part of that legacy work is accomplished through professional organizations she lends her time and expertise to. Ellerbee is actively involved with the Missouri Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Missouri Nurses Association. She also serves on several nursing community advisory boards for local nursing schools.

“I use my position within those groups to not only share what my organization has done to improve patient care, but also learn from others,” Ellerbee says. “I am seen as a resource and expert within the community related to nursing practice and am often sought out to participate in programs directed at improving nursing practice.”