Stephanie Estephan (left) and Julie Branch (right) received the Top Nurses Award for their exceptional contributions to community nursing.
Akron Children’s is proud to announce that Julie Branch, clinical coordinator for Pulmonary Medicine, and Stephanie Estephan, quality initiative specialist, have been recognized as Top Nurses by Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. This prestigious award celebrates the exceptional contributions of nurses in promoting community well-being.
“Receiving the Top Nurses Award means the world to me,” said Stephanie, who has worked for Akron Children’s for 25 years. “It’s very humbling. There are so many nurses that deserve this recognition for the wonderful care they provide every day.”
Stephanie began her career at Akron Children’s as a staff nurse in the Emergency Room before moving into multiple educator roles, including over 12 years in the Simulation Center. This past June, she transitioned to her current position as a quality initiative specialist. Throughout her career, she has remained driven by a passion for patient care and staff development.
“I love the people most, which is why I went into nursing,” she explained. “Interacting with patients, families and staff brings me joy and continues to be the reason I do what I do.”
Julie Branch
Julie’s nursing journey began in 1988 while she was a student at The University of Akron. Over the years, she has worked in various roles, from supporting children with cystic fibrosis and cancer to caring for critically ill patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
“I really learned family dynamics and felt I was a strong support for those kids and their families,” Julie said of her time in the PICU. Now, as clinical coordinator for Pulmonary Medicine, she oversees programs for children with sleep disorders, cystic fibrosis, asthma, high-risk asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and vent dependent children.
For Julie, the Top Nurses award is a testament to the collaborative nature of nursing.
“So much of nursing is a team approach,” she said. “Those who have been my supporters or teammates should share in this honor. It is wonderful to be recognized for something you love to do.”
One of the most fulfilling moments in Stephanie’s career was the opportunity to travel to Haiti in 2011 following the devastating 2010 earthquake.
Stephanie Estephan
“It was truly an eye-opening, rewarding experience for me,” she said. “Through coordination with the American Heart Association, we focused on Pediatric Advanced Life Support training, ensuring that local physicians could implement current guidelines as effectively as possible with limited resources.
“The experience highlighted for me the impact nurses can have on the community, not just in the United States, but in other countries as well,” she added.
Julie shared how important teamwork and resourcefulness is in her current role.
“We regularly go the extra mile to help families secure life-saving medications for their children, despite financial barriers or supply shortages,” she explained. “We look at options and even talk with their insurance companies to supply the families with affordable options.”
Julie and her team also work with School Health to explain the asthma treatment plan and how to follow it to ensure that children with asthma remain safe while in school.
When it comes to advice they would offer aspiring nurses, they both emphasize compassion and lifelong learning.
“Find your passion and continue to learn every day,” Julie encouraged. “Be open to differences in care. Look at the research. And most of all, be kind.”
Stephanie added, “I hope they advocate fearlessly for their patients’ well-being and for the nursing profession, ensuring that nurses are valued, respected and provided with safe working conditions.”
