Dayton Children’s honors Lisa Schwing, RN, with prestigious Elsie T. Mead lifetime achievement award

Dayton Children’s Hospital is proud to announce that Lisa Schwing, RN, has been named this year’s recipient of the Elsie T. Mead Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors a current or former Dayton Children’s employee who has made an outstanding contribution to the hospital and the community. Schwing, a dedicated trauma program manager and nurse, spent more than two decades advancing pediatric care and ensuring children in the region receive critical care close to home when it matters most.

Schwing began her career at Dayton Children’s in 1997, serving in various roles, including nurse, educator, and trauma program manager. Her leadership was pivotal in helping Dayton Children’s achieve Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center verification, a prestigious designation held by fewer than 40 pediatric hospitals nationwide. This achievement, verified by the American College of Surgeons, involved a rigorous 15-month process, which Schwing guided with exceptional organization and dedication.

Beyond trauma verification, Schwing’s contributions to the hospital and community are extensive. She embedded social workers into trauma care teams, introduced therapy dogs for children recovering from severe injuries, and conducted thousands of car seat safety checks for local families. She also played a key role in educating the community through hundreds of media appearances and presentations on injury prevention, and helped establish the Trauma Nurse Leader Program, which continues to benefit the hospital today.

"Lisa’s tireless dedication to our trauma program and her long service to the hospital make her truly deserving of this honor," said Thomas Krzmarzick, MD, chief of the division of emergency medicine at Dayton Children’s. "Her organizational skills, determination, willingness to collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensivists, pediatric emergency doctors and many other services in the hospital improved the care of our sickest trauma patients. Her leadership was instrumental in making our trauma program what it is today."

The criteria for the Elsie T. Mead award are:

• Been employed at Dayton Children's for 10+ years
• Made a major lifelong contribution to Dayton Children's mission
• Taken an active role in the community
• Contributed a significant innovative idea to Dayton Children's
• Recognized as a positive mentor and role model

Schwing was presented with the Elsie T. Mead Lifetime Achievement Award, the hospital’s highest staff honor, during the Service Anniversary and Award Dinner on October 1, 2024. Having retired in 2022, Schwing leaves behind a remarkable legacy of care, leadership and innovation.