ANA-Illinois proudly welcomes Casey Ketchum, MSN, RN, to the ANA-Illinois Board of Directors. With more than a decade of diverse nursing experience from trauma ICU and neuroscience to research, ethics, and advocacy. Casey brings a powerful blend of clinical insight, academic rigor, and unwavering commitment to health equity. Her voice, grounded in truth and reinforced by scholarship, will strengthen our work to elevate the nursing profession and champion policies that protect the most vulnerable communities across Illinois.
Meet Casey Ketchum and Her New Role
“My name is Casey Ketchum, and I currently serve as the Assistant Director of Nursing in a skilled rehabilitation setting. Since beginning my nursing career in 2012, I’ve worked in trauma ICU, neuroscience, research, and advocacy, with a deep commitment to ethical care and health equity. I’ve completed a fellowship in medical ethics and have been honored as an INF 40 Under 40 recipient.” Casey’s leadership journey has been shaped through meaningful engagement with the ANA-Illinois. “My involvement with ANA-Illinois has been a cornerstone of my professional journey. I’ve had the privilege of guest lecturing for ANA-Illinois, participating in political action days to advocate for nursing policy reform, and contributing to initiatives that elevate the voice of nurses in legislative spaces.” Now, as a newly elected member of the ANA-Illinois Board of Directors, she is ready to further amplify the profession. “Now, as a newly elected member of the ANA-Illinois Board of Directors, I’m excited to continue this work on a broader scale. I’m passionate about protecting vulnerable populations, advancing nursing leadership, and ensuring that nurses are empowered to lead change in every setting, from bedside to boardroom.”
What Inspired Her to Serve
Casey’s inspiration is deeply rooted in her belief in the power and responsibility of the nursing profession. “I was inspired by a deep belief that nursing is the bedrock of the American healthcare system. Serving on the ANA-Illinois Board gives me the opportunity to advocate for the profession, elevate the voices of nurses across the state, and help shape a healthcare environment where nurses are empowered, respected, and equipped to lead.” Her commitment extends beyond organizational leadership; she is driven by the urgent needs facing vulnerable communities. “Today, we are also witnessing troubling attacks on vulnerable populations, whether through funding cuts to Medicaid, barriers to rural healthcare access, or systemic inequities that shorten life expectancy for Black and Brown communities. Serving on the ANA-Illinois Board allows me to advocate for nurses who care for these communities and to help shape policies that protect and uplift those most at risk. I believe our profession must lead the charge in building a more just and equitable healthcare system.”
How Casey Hopes to Make an Impact
Casey is determined to elevate nursing visibility and leadership at the highest levels. “I hope to use my position on the ANA-Illinois Board to elevate nursing visibility as a highly skilled, academically grounded profession with the capacity to transform healthcare. Nurses are not just caregivers; we are scientists, ethicists, educators, and advocates.” Her message is clear: nurses belong at the forefront of healthcare innovation and policy change. “We hold a unique position on the frontlines of care, with direct access to patients, families, and communities. That proximity gives us unmatched insight into what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change.” By spotlighting the intellectual rigor and leadership capacity within nursing, Casey hopes to shift outdated narratives and shape a more equitable and effective healthcare system, one where nurses lead transformative change.
Her Advice for Nurses Who Want to Lead
Casey offers a powerful message to nurses aspiring to step into leadership roles: “One tip I’d give to nurses who want to lead is: Lead with authenticity, grounded in truth and scholarship. Healthcare is complex, and leadership demands more than charisma. It requires courage to confront uncomfortable truths, a commitment to evidence-based practice, and the integrity to speak up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular.”
She reminds us that leadership is not about perfection; it’s about purpose. “Stay rooted in your values, pursue academic excellence, and never lose sight of the real issues affecting patients and providers. Leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up, being real, and driving change with purpose.”
Looking Ahead
ANA-Illinois is honored to welcome Casey Ketchum to the Board of Directors. Her dedication to ethics, equity, and nurse-led transformation will strengthen our advocacy efforts and expand the impact nurses can make at every level of healthcare.
Join us in congratulating Casey Ketchum and welcoming her to the ANA-Illinois Board of Directors.