Celebrating Women’s History Month
Throughout this Women’s History Month, we’ve celebrated the wisdom, courage and dedication of Beacon’s incredible leaders. These women inspire us every day with their passion and commitment, but who inspires them? Continue reading as they share insight into the amazing women who have made a positive impact in their lives.
A heartfelt thank you to all our Beacon leaders who shared their sources of inspiration.
Minde Abnet, BSN, RN, Director of Patient Care Services at Three Rivers Health Hospital, finds inspiration in Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” Minde shared why this quote resonates with her so much:
“As a First Lady, powerful diplomat and human rights advocate, Eleanor Roosevelt championed the idea that self-respect and confidence come from within. Her quote encourages women to reject societal limitations and believe in their abilities. During Women’s History Month, I believe her inspirational quote resonates as a call to action for women to stand firm in their convictions, own their voices and push past barriers with confidence.”
Malissa Bellis MBA, BSN, RN, Executive Director of Surgical Services at Memorial Hospital and Beacon Trauma Services, shared this insight:
“A quote that really speaks to me is: ‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better,’ by Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou exemplifies resilience and strength during challenging times. I love this quote because each day I try to be better than the day before by constantly learning from my team, peers and leaders. My desire to be better inspires me to mentor the leaders on my team so they can meet their professional goals and encourage them to engage and develop their teams to ensure continual success.”
Marie DeStefano, BSN, RN, Director of Patient Care Services, Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit at Memorial Hospital, is inspired by this quote from Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.”
“I’ve been fortunate in my life to have been surrounded by strong, rebellious, rule-breaking, courageous, smart woman with messy, brilliant lives,” Marie said. “I’ve always been drawn to women who break social norms, call out injustices and stand up for others. My mother, grandmothers, friends, co-workers, mentors in leadership roles and my own daughter have all inspired and molded me into the woman, mother, nurse and leader that I am today. My inspiration as a leader is the belief that safe health care is a human right. And my purpose is to create a culture where every person is treated with respect and empathy.
“I am most inspired by everyday women,” Marie added. “The ones who challenge themselves, shatter glass ceilings, grapple with disappointments — but fight on every day, and take care of their people and the values they believe in. The greatest legacy I can leave behind for my own children, grandchildren and the future Beacon leaders that will follow behind me is the idea of not being afraid to rock the boat. Someone has to.”
Amanda Mack, RN, BSN, CPHQ, Manager of Patient Care at Community Hospital of Bremen, offers her perspectives:
“A woman who has greatly inspired me is Amelia Earhart, not only for her groundbreaking achievements in aviation but also for her spirit of kindness, love and compassion,” Amanda explained.
“She once said, ‘A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.’ This quote reminds me of the lasting impact that small acts of love and generosity can have on the world. Earhart’s courage was matched by her deep compassion — she encouraged and uplifted others, especially women, to believe in themselves. Her legacy inspires me to move forward with kindness, uplifting those around me as we work together toward a brighter future.”
Amira Welch, Vice President of Patient Access Services at Beacon, shares this quote from Indra Nooyi: “If you want to improve the organization, you have to improve yourself and the organization gets pulled up with you.”
“Indra Nooyi is an inspirational business strategist who was consistently ranked among the world’s 100 most powerful women and was the first to lead PepsiCo,” Amira said. “Nooyi drove PepsiCo’s success by pioneering a ‘Performance with Purpose’ culture that resonates with me. Throughout my career I’ve seen the value of tying purpose to my work which encourages authentic connections. These connections inspire me to continually uplift and encourage other women to find their north star.”
Nicole Clarke, BSN, RN, Director of Retail Operations at Beacon, shares this about her source of inspiration:
“Throughout my life, I’ve always strived to do my best, and a large part of that drive stems from the inspiring figure of my grandmother, Judith Catoe. She has always been my number one fan, encouraging me to push myself and reach my full potential.
“One of her most powerful pieces of advice has stayed with me over the years: ‘You can do anything you put your mind to.’ This quote has resonated deeply with me, shaping both my personal and professional growth. It was this mindset that inspired me to attend nursing school and pursue my career with dedication. As I continued to grow in my profession, I discovered my true calling in leadership. Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of leading teams, and I approach leadership with the same heart-driven philosophy that my grandmother instilled in me.
“I lead by encouraging others to believe in themselves and to always give their best. I have adopted my grandmother’s quote as a guiding principle in my mentorship. I encourage my team to put their minds to their goals, knowing that dedication and perseverance will lead to success. I firmly believe that leading others is a gift, and building trusting, supportive relationships is the foundation of any successful team. I am grateful for the wisdom my grandmother shared with me, and I strive to pass it on to others as I continue to lead with purpose and heart.”
Heather Ngure, JD, MBA, Executive Director of Enterprise Risk Management at Beacon, spotlights her grandmother’s enduring influence:
“My grandmother, Wanda Kuiken, will turn 92 in April,” Heather shared. “Since I was a little girl, she has always been the very best example of a woman giving back to her community. In addition to having eleven children of her own, 30 grandchildren and more great-grandchildren than I can keep track of, she has consistently taken the time to mentor and serve others. She taught Sunday School to kindergarteners for over 50 years, mentored and ministered to incarcerated women and continues to volunteer at the local hospital. She sends over 1,000 birthday cards out each year to make sure the everyone she knows feels special on their day.
“Her example inspires me to uplift others, especially other women. She taught me that the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. When I think about the 2025 Women’s History Month theme: Moving forward together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations, I think about my grandmother. She’s inspired many generations, and I’m hoping to continue her legacy by educating and inspiring the next generation and beyond.”
Dr. Rosalie McBride, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beacon Medical Group OBGYN River Oaks, has been influenced by many women over the years who have had a positive impact on her career and approach to patient care:
“One that particularly stands out is Lillie-Mae Padilla, MD. She was a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Indiana University in Indianapolis where I trained in my residency,” Dr. McBride said. “She had a quiet, unassuming way of caring for patients and communicating with patients in a way that they understood and could connect with. She was an advocate for women’s obstetric care, especially in the high-risk situations that required extra and sometimes unanticipated attention. She accepted leadership positions when asked and instilled in those training under her the importance of health advocacy especially in the overlooked populations. From her I learned how important compassion and flexibility are with each pregnancy. I have strived to carry her approach to obstetrics and leadership during my career as an OB/GYN.”
Dr. Kate Dutkiewicz is a pediatric hospitalist and the Medical Director of Beacon Children’s Hospital, who shares:
“Throughout my medical training, clinical practice, and leadership journey in medicine, I have at times found myself the lone voice in the room as a woman, or as a pediatrician advocating for a vulnerable and frequently overlooked patient population. These experiences can be filled with a lot of doubt — in myself, my abilities, my opinions — and worries about how others will perceive me. There have been times those doubts and worries have kept me from saying anything at all.
“Over the years, one quote has continually motivated and inspired me to push through the wall of doubt: ‘Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.’ This quote, which is sometimes attributed to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but which was originally written by American activist Maggie Kuhn, reminds me that I have something important to say, even if it’s difficult to say it.”
Dr. Keyna Martinez is Medical Director and family medicine physician at Beacon Medical Group Bremen, shares a story about this quote from the P.S. I Love You book series:
“When you reach for the stars, you might not get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud, either.” – Leo Burnett
“I don’t know her name. But I know this quote because of her,” Dr. Martinez explains. “She was a mother who shared inspirational quotes and funny quips in the P.S. line of letters to her children. Her son, H. Jackson Brown, Jr., compiled those P.S.s into a small book. I read this book repeatedly as a teenager, soaking up her wit and wisdom. And it shaped me, this quote especially, which became a motto for my life. It encourages me to keep striving for excellence in patient care, in teaching students, in improving health care, and in everything I do. Better is possible if we try.”
Mary Wendt, MBA, RD, LD, Director of Operations at Elkhart General Hospital, is inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt, the “first lady of the world.”
“She was a powerful advocate for human rights, particularly concerning civil rights, women’s rights, and played a crucial role in the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948,” Mary shares. “Even though she received resistance and criticism at every turn, she always stayed true to herself and never gave up. Her resilience and dedication to social causes inspire me to approach my personal and professional challenges with compassion, determination and resilience.”
“Two of my favorite quotes by Eleanor are, ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams’ and ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.’ These quotes are a constant reminder to never give up on your dreams and aspirations, no matter how far out of reach they may seem,” Mary said. “Her commitment to uplift others, especially women, resonates deeply with my own personal and professional goal to support others around me, helping us all move forward together.”
