Emily Sullivan, RN, BSN, MEd

Emily Sullivan, RN, BSN, MEd, brings over 40 years of nursing experience to her role as Director of Nursing at Avila Home Care. Her extensive experience includes working in home care, hospice, doctors’ offices, hospitals and many other health care settings.

Emily learned at an early age to care about others from watching her parents, being actively involved in her church, and growing up with neighbors and friends who frequently cared for each other. Being raised in a culture of caring inspired Emily to become a nurse.

Graduating as a diploma nurse, she immediately started to work. While working, Emily completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, and her Master’s Degree in Professional Health Occupations. Emily worked with seniors in their homes as a home care and hospice nurse. “We can learn a lot from our seniors- they have so much to give us.”

Emily’s years of caring personally and professionally brought her to a point in her life where she loved being able to help others care for the special people in their lives. “There were the wonderful childhood years being raised with a sister and two brothers, and as adults we are still very close. My sister and I were the primary caregivers for our parents in their later years, and I realized the challenges of taking care of family members and doing so with love.”

Emily met Danny O’Brien, Avila’s Founder and CEO, through Grace Fellowship Church. Emily’s numerous trips with Grace to the countries of Kyrgyzstan and Indonesia to support families in need were special experiences that reinforced her love of caring for others. She was also a member of Grace’s lay counselling team.

“Several years ago, I was retired and thought my nursing background may be of help to get Avila Home Care started.” When the opportunity arose to work with Danny O’Brien to launch Avila Home Care and support seniors and their loved ones who were caring for them, Emily was delighted to come out of retirement and join the team. “The genuine honesty and integrity of Avila’s entire team, the wonderful families we serve and our faithful and just leader Danny, inspire me every day.”

As Director of Nursing at Avila Home Care, Emily helps define the team policies and procedures, provides supervision and oversight for Avila’s nursing team, and supports the Caregivers who care for Avila’s clients and their families. “As a parent of two wonderful sons and now a grandparent to the best grandsons ever, I know the weight of responsible caring.”

In her free time, Emily makes greeting cards and delights in new craft projects that come her way. She also relishes the outdoors and does lots of gardening every chance she gets. Emily’s favorite free time activity is playing and spending time with her grandchildren.