Read more about this nurse's nomination story*:

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, as an assistant nurse manager Sarah Ingrao, plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality, safety, and effectiveness of nursing care. Positioned between frontline nurses and upper management, Sarah serves as both a leader and a catalyst for change—driving innovation to elevate standards of care while ensuring that evidence-based practices are consistently implemented on 1 East and SPCU. Through vision, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, Sarah works on transforming ideas into measurable improvements that enhance patient outcomes and empower nursing teams.
Innovation in nursing leadership begins with recognizing opportunities for improvement. Sarah fosters a culture where curiosity and creative problem-solving are encouraged. By promoting open communication and psychological safety daily, Sarah enables nurses to share insights from the bedside. Sarah champions the CAUTI/CLABSI council for Syosset where we are 15 YEARS non-ICU CLABSI free, 2Y 9M non-ICU CAUTI free, 2Y 2M ICU CLABSI free (prior was 8 years) and almost 8 years ICU CAUTI free. Her innovations and collaboration with medical teams during IDR rounds, improve efficiency of patient care.
Evidence-based practice is at the heart Sarah’s mission to elevate nursing standards. She ensures that clinical decisions are guided by the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. This involves staying current with nursing research, attending professional conferences, and fostering a team culture that values continuous learning. Sarah often leads quality improvement projects that translate research findings into daily practice. For example, Sarah was one of the authors who published “Research Findings in addressing social determinants of health in practice: Nurses’ perspective”
One of Sarah’s superpowers and most critical responsibilities is mentoring and empowering staff nurses to become evidence-based practitioners themselves. This leadership approach builds a resilient and knowledgeable workforce. Through coaching and professional development initiatives, she encourages nurses to question existing practices, and propose data-driven solutions. Sarah is also a mentor to new graduate nurses, which drives a dynamic environment where nurses have the support and can be accountable for maintaining high standards of care.
Collaboration is another cornerstone of Sarah’s success. She works closely with physicians, educators, and leaders, to ensure that evidence-based strategies align with organizational goals and regulatory requirements. By using performance metrics and outcome data, Sarah has proven the impact of innovative practices on patient satisfaction and safety. This is shown in many ways including SPCU being awarded Beacon Silver for the second year in a row.
Ultimately, Sarah’s commitment to innovation and evidence-based practice drives the continuous advancement of nursing care. Through strategic leadership, education, and collaboration, she bridges the gap between research and real-world practice, ensuring that patients receive the highest quality care. In doing so, Sarah not only elevates nursing standards but also inspires the new generation of nurses to lead with knowledge, creativity, and purpose.

This nomination was submitted by Kasey Alesso, Manager, Patient Care.

*While only one nomination story is featured here, the nurse may have been nominated more than once by multiple colleagues. Every nominee will receive all the nominations submitted on their behalf.