Shannon Sears Named Nurse Leader of the Year
Today, at the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration awards event in Dallas, TX, ThriveMore proudly celebrates one of our own. Shannon Sears has been named Nurse Leader of the Year for the Southeast Region, a well-deserved recognition of her extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to those she serves.
At the heart of this recognition is the impact Shannon, Executive Vice President of Quality, Safety, Risk and Compliance, has on the people with whom she works. Through her leadership across ThriveMore, Shannon helps ensure that every resident receives the highest standard of care, every day, in every community. Her work shapes the systems that keep residents safe, supports teams in delivering exceptional care, and reinforces a culture where compassion and accountability go hand in hand.
For those who work alongside Shannon each day, this honor comes as no surprise.
“Shannon embodies excellence in everything that she does,” shared Jessica McCollum. “She’s a servant leader. She leads with integrity, class, heart, compassion, and is truly someone that anybody can go to with anything.”
By creating an environment where nurses and team members feel supported, equipped, and confident, Shannon strengthens the entire care delivery system.
“I truly would not be able to do my job without Shannon,” Jessica said. “She’s there for guidance, support, crazy ideas, new initiative rollouts. I don’t know what I would do without Shannon.”
At an organizational level, Shannon’s impact ensures that quality care is never left to chance. It is intentionally built and continuously improved.
ThriveMore President and CEO Reed VanderSlik recognized the standard she sets within our communities.
“Shannon, congratulations on this award. It’s amazing,” he said. “The standard is high in the nursing world for compassion and quality, and you set the bar. So, thank you very much.”
That bar is reflected in the experiences of residents and families who trust ThriveMore with their care. It shows up in clinical outcomes, in safety practices and in the everyday interactions that define what it feels like to live in one of our communities.
Just as importantly, it shows up in the growth of the people delivering that care.
Cameryn Armes spoke to the personal impact Shannon has had on her leadership journey.
“Each and every day, you have shown what a true leader is by the way that you care so deeply for your residents and teammates,” Cameryn said. “I can’t thank you enough for the huge impact you have had on my confidence, my knowledge, and long-term care, and for always encouraging me to grow.”
By strengthening the confidence and capability of her team, Shannon ensures that residents are surrounded by skilled, compassionate professionals who are empowered to do their best work.
For Stacey Shaw, one early interaction with Shannon demonstrates how that culture takes shape.
“One of the first interactions I had with you, you told me, ‘Stacey, you’re not doing this wrong, let’s try and fix this together,’” she shared. “That made me feel at ease. I truly started to build my confidence and become a strong leader.”
That type of leadership creates a ripple effect across communities, where team members feel supported, collaboration thrives and residents ultimately benefit from stronger, more responsive care.
Shannon’s leadership has also been tested and proven in some of the most challenging moments our field has faced. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her focus on resident safety and team support never wavered.
“Shannon is a powerhouse,” said Tatum Myers. “Her clinical skill set is unmatched, but what sets her apart is her heart.”
Tatum recalled the intense and uncertain days of the pandemic, when protecting residents required extraordinary effort and resolve.
“We were literally pushing residents across parking lots in the dark, doing whatever it took for our residents and our teams to make sure they were safe and supported,” she said.
Through it all, Shannon remained focused on what mattered most.
“Shannon leads with compassion, empathy, and innovation, always putting residents and families first,” Tatum said. “Shannon doesn’t just lead a team, she lifts people up and makes everyone around her better.”