Domains of Practice - Presenters

Ellen Tolbert, MSW, has worked in healthcare for 24 years in roles including Oncology Social Worker, Director of Social Work and Utilization Review, and Coordinator of Counseling Services for a Hospice.  For the past 10 years she has been the Director of Patient Relations of Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Delaware.

Ellen has a BSW from James Madison University and a MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University.  Ellen describes her transition from Social Work to Patient Advocacy as a natural career move.  Her facility has earned the Delaware Quality Award for the last three years with Ellen co-authoring their applications.

Bryan Tipton, MS, RRT, FSHCA has acquired a wide variety of experience during his 15 years in healthcare.  With a background in Respiratory Therapy, Bryan has worked the past 7 years as a patient advocate for the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN.  His scope of practice includes mediation, conflict resolution, complaint management, data management, patient satisfaction, quality improvement and staff training.  An active members or SHCA, Bryan has served as Chair of Chapter Relations from 2005 - 2008, Annual Program committee in 2005, Annual Program Co-chair in 2007 and Program Chair in 2007.  He also served on the Organizational Growth and Development committee from 2004 - 2007 and is the current 2008 SHCA President-elect.  Bryan enjoys working at the national and state level and continues to provide open communication between SHCA members and the board.

Ruth Sullivan, MS, RNC, FSHCA is the Director, Patient/Family Advocacy at Shore Health System in Easton, MD.  She began her 37 year career in healthcare as a graduate of a Macqueen Gibbs Willis School of Nursing in 1972.  Ruth received her BSN in 1989 and her Master of Science in family nursing with a focus in rural healthcare from Salisbury University in 1998.  As a nursing assistant, staff nurse, nurse manager, director and as an advocate, she can address the current state of healthcare to help us help our patients.  She serves on the board of directors of many community boards focusing on child advocacy and social services to emergency medical services.  She is a Past President of Potomac Chapter of SHCA, and the 2008 SHCA President.