At Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware, the heart of pediatric care beats strongly, thanks to dedicated professionals like Elizabeth ‘Liz’ A. Upadhyaya. Liz, a Clinical Nurse IV and the Nursing Professional Governance Quality Council Chair, brings not only expertise but also a profound passion for making a positive impact on the lives of children and their families.
Liz’s journey to nursing is a testimony to her commitment to meaningful work. After a decade in marketing, where she marketed healthcare journals and interacted with healthcare leaders, Liz realized her true calling lay in nursing. “I was so inspired by these healthcare leaders and embarked on a quest to find a meaningful career where I could help others and that aligned with my strengths and values. A series of career and personality tests led me to nursing.” Driven by a desire to contribute to others’ well-being, she earned her nursing degrees. Her first nursing degree was an Associate of Science in Nursing in 2010. Then, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2014 and a Master of Science in Nursing with a Leadership/Nurse Educator focus in 2021.
Personal experiences deeply influenced Liz’s decision to join Nemours Children’s Health. Her encounters with Nemours as a caregiver for her stepson and the recommendation of a former colleague convinced her that Nemours was where she belonged. “When my stepson, Dane, was younger, he was treated by a neurologist at Nemours. At each clinic visit, my husband, Sanjay, and I were struck by the friendliness of the staff and the overall positive environment. Around the same time, I worked at a hospital caring for adult patients. A nurse colleague left that facility, got hired on my current unit at Nemours, and encouraged me to apply.” Since joining in April 2016, Liz has been an integral part of the 2West – Intermediate/Surgical Care Unit, bringing her expertise and compassion to every patient she encounters.
For Liz, pediatric nursing is all about collaboration, and her team on 2West exemplifies the power of collaboration. She shares, “Pediatric nursing is a team sport, and this especially holds true in my unit, where the patient population is often of high risk and acuity with a diverse range of conditions. It would not be possible for me to provide the patient care I do without being part of a cohesive team. I am grateful to work with such compassionate, helpful, and knowledgeable nurses and nursing assistants who do not hesitate to assist one another in ensuring the often-complex needs of our patients and their families are met.” Amidst the challenges of caring for high-risk patients, Liz finds solace and strength in her colleagues’ support and team spirit. From assisting each other in patient care to celebrating life’s milestones together, Liz cherishes the bond she shares with her team. “Not only do we help one another in patient care, but also support each other through life’s ups and downs, celebrating weddings and babies with showers and showing concern with cards and flowers when team members have lost loved ones. Moreover, I love that our team includes child life specialists, advanced practice nurses, physicians, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, pastoral care, and other specialties to provide patient- and family-centered care. I believe that we are stronger together and am honored to work with a group of such dedicated professionals.”
Liz’s love for Nemours emanates from her deep connection with the patients and families she serves. “First and foremost, I love working for Nemours because of the patients. I am grateful and humbled to provide high-quality care to children and support them on their journeys toward healing and health. I also enjoy my interactions with the families, helping to meet their educational and emotional needs and collaborating with them to ensure they have a voice in their child’s care.” Liz also shares how the opportunity for professional growth and the supportive environment further solidify her commitment to the organization. “Another reason I love working for Nemours is the opportunity for professional growth. So far, during my time here, I have become a Certified Pediatric Nurse, earned my Master of Science in Nursing, and trained to become a charge nurse on my unit. In addition to my other duties, I currently precept new nurses and serve as chairperson for the Nursing Professional Governance Quality Council.” Whether celebrating patient milestones or embracing new opportunities for learning and development, Liz finds fulfilment in her role at Nemours Children’s.
“My favorite memories at Nemours are the parades we have held for patients who have had lengthy hospital stays and are being discharged home. When a patient leaves our unit to go home with their family, the staff cheers and uses noisemakers to celebrate. The parades are heartwarming and tear-jerking moments—not only for patients and their families, but also for our staff who have contributed in many ways to their care.” Moments like this show the true testament to the compassion and dedication of the Nemours team. Beyond her work, Liz finds joy in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, sharing, “I look for ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance and focus my activities outside of work on those that contribute to my mental and physical well-being. Some of my hobbies include doing Pilates and yoga, spending time with my family, friends, and pets, hiking and visiting museums, and traveling to Denmark to visit our family there.”
Liz’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed, earning her awards and recognitions, such as the DAISY Award and an Honorable Mention in the Inpatient/Acute Care Nursing category of the 2024 Delaware Today Top Nurses. Her commitment to excellence and compassionate care sets a shining example for her colleagues and inspires all those around her.
Let’s take a moment to honor Liz Upadhyaya and all nurses who embody compassion, dedication, and excellence in their profession during this National Nurses Week. Liz’s commitment to positively impacting the lives of children and their families at Nemours Children’s Hospital is a shining example of the invaluable contributions nurses make every day. Here’s to Liz and to nurses everywhere—thank you for your dedication and compassionate care. Happy Nurses Week!
