Sandra Lynn “Sandy” Greeno, DNP, who for more than two decades was a leader at Vanderbilt University Hospital in several key roles, died March 4 in Akron, Ohio. She was 70.
Dr. Greeno, a native of Valparaiso, Indiana, came to Vanderbilt University Medical Center as nurse manager of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), which at that time in the 1980s also served as the trauma ICU.
She served in a number of leadership roles, including evening hospital administrator and assistant hospital director for VUH. She was an administrative director for several areas, including LifeFlight and the Burn Patient Care Center, and helped guide the creation of VUH’s dedicated Trauma Intensive Care Unit, which opened in 1998.
“Sandy Greeno was the manager of the SICU at VUH when I started my career here,” said Robin Steaban, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer for VUH. “Sandy was highly respected by the organization, the staff, physicians and peers. Her thoughtful and organized approach to engaging others, establishing high standards of care and ensuring those standards were delivered to every patient, every time were hallmarks of her leadership. She was a kind, confident, skillful leader and mentor to many.”
John A. Morris Jr., MD, professor of Surgery, worked closely with Dr. Greeno during her time at LifeFlight and during the planning for the Trauma Intensive Care Unit.
“Sandy Greeno was foundational to establishment of the trauma program,” he said. “Her initial role was to identify and recruit talented people to a new 38-bed unit. [After that], she was our general manager, and she created a world-class team. But Sandy was also a coach, leading by example, managing personalities and encouraging the inexperienced. All the time never seeking the limelight and always elevating others.”
Dr. Greeno was dedicated to learning and throughout her career pursued further education, including Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.
Her dedication to learning also manifested itself through her dedication to teaching. At various points in her career, she taught at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing; the University of Central Florida School of Nursing; Concordia University in Portland, Oregon; and Herzing University in Kent, Ohio.
She is survived by her son, Andrew, of Portland, Oregon, and daughter Amber Greeno, MSN, APRN, director of Trauma, Injury Prevention and Project ADAM at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
“If I were to describe my mother in just five words, they would be mother, friend, nurse, leader and inspiration,” Amber said. “She instilled in me the value of hard work and integrity, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered in the nursing community and beyond.”
