The St. John Family

Isabelle Jane St. John (better known as “Izzy”) and her parents, Lee and Joy St. John, established the Isabelle Jane St. John Art of Nursing Award in 2016, while she was still on her journey through nursing school. From a very young age, Isabelle knew that becoming a nurse was her true calling, and she pursued this dream with unwavering dedication, determination, and most importantly, a smile at all times. For Isabelle, nursing was far more than just a scientific discipline centered only around one’s physical health; it involved an intricate interplay between art, science, and an intuitive understanding of human nature. As an avid instrumental, vocal, and theatrical performer for many years, Isabelle strove to intertwine her seemingly polar opposite passions, the arts and science, to create her personal nursing philosophy that would resonate with both her professors and student colleagues for many years to come. The Isabelle Jane St. John Art of Nursing Award is intended to highlight the scholarly achievements, passion, and inspiration demonstrated by a nursing student who realizes that they will never be “just a nurse” … they will be a celebrated artist creating masterpieces everyday with strokes of compassion and care.

“Nursing to me is an art form. It’s the art of caring, the art of creating order from chaos, the art of helping people find a shred of happiness in the darkest of times. We are artists, our medium is care, and our masterpieces are our patients and their families who have found peace. I am not “just a nurse”…I am so much more. I am your nurse and you are my masterpiece, and we will never stop creating masterpieces like you because like true artists, this is not only our profession, but our passion as well." – Isabelle Jane St. John