Cheryl Sayers-O'Neil-Gardner
Middleburg,FL
Summary
Provided advanced critical care to critically ill and injured patients during complex air medical transports while leading and supporting multidisciplinary flight teams. Combined hands-on clinical expertise with supervisory oversight to ensure the highest standards of patient safety, clinical excellence, and regulatory compliance. Served as a trusted clinical leader and mentor, guiding flight nurses and respiratory therapists through high-risk, time-sensitive situations and complex care decisions. Collaborated closely with pilots, physicians, and hospital leadership to coordinate seamless patient transfers and optimize outcomes, consistently modeling calm, decisive leadership and compassionate patient-centered care in high-pressure environments.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Flight Nurse
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Saint Petersburg, FL
07.2007 - 06.2025
- Administered advanced life support interventions in critical care scenarios.
- Coordinated patient transport logistics to ensure timely and safe transfers.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans.
- Mentored junior nursing staff on emergency response protocols and procedures.
- Evaluated and improved operational workflows for enhanced patient outcomes.
- Conducted patient assessments to determine immediate medical needs during transport.
- Maintained flight medicine knowledge base by attending mandatory meetings, performing chart and equipment reviews, skills labs, and clinical rotations, and participating in continuing education sessions for care and transport of critically ill and injured patients.
- Cultivated positive relationships with referring facilities through professional conduct during patient transfers and consultations.
- Ensured comprehensive documentation of patient interactions, treatments, assessments, and outcomes for accurate recordkeeping and continuity of care.
- Utilized advanced flight nursing knowledge and skills to provide exceptional patient care in challenging environments while maintaining a high level of professionalism.
- Streamlined patient handoff process for efficient transfer of care between medical teams.
Team Supervisor
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Saint Petersburg, FL
08.2017 - 09.2021
- Supervised daily operations, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and quality standards.
- Coordinated team schedules, optimizing workflow efficiency and resource allocation.
- Mentored staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced operational delays and increased productivity.
- Resolved conflicts between team members diplomatically, maintaining a healthy working environment conducive to productivity.
- Evaluated team member performance regularly, guiding professional growth and development.
- Collaborated with upper management to establish performance goals for the team and develop strategies for achieving them.
- Managed performance reviews for active fight team members, analyzing individual employee achievements and overall trends in workforce execution metrics.
- Assisted in recruiting top talent by conducting interviews, reviewing resumes, and participating in candidate selection decisions.
- Established clear lines of accountability within the team structure, promoting responsibility and ownership for tasks completed.
- Provided ongoing coaching to enhance individual performance levels while fostering teamwork among employees.
- Reviewed budgets and financial reports regularly, making necessary adjustments to meet departmental targets without compromising quality or customer satisfaction levels.
- Maintained awareness of basic HR laws and regulations and kept up-to-date with company policies.
Clinical Lead /Registered Flight Nurse
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Saint Petersburg , FL
09.2021 - 06.2025
- Assisted in coordinating patient care and treatment plans.
- Supported clinical team with daily operational tasks and documentation.
- Learned to utilize electronic health record systems for data entry and management.
- Participated in staff meetings to discuss patient progress and care strategies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes.
- Developed knowledge of regulatory compliance standards in clinical settings.
- Contributed to maintaining a safe and organized clinical environment.
- Served as a key liaison between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure seamless communication and appropriate care planning.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based clinical protocols and guidelines.
- Mentored junior staff members, fostering a supportive learning environment and enhancing their professional growth.
Flight Nurse
Nicklaus Children's Hospital / Miami Children's Hospital
Miami, FL
08.1994 - 06.2007
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and hospital policies in all operations.
- Maintained flight medicine knowledge base by attending mandatory meetings, performing chart and equipment reviews, skills labs and clinical rotations and participating in continuing education sessions for care and transport of critically ill and injured patients.
- Planned, organized, and positioned equipment and supplies for use in emergency conditions before, during, and after transport.
- Communicated effectively with pilots and other crew members to optimize in-flight operations and patient care.
- Exercised sound decision-making abilities when faced with complex or rapidly changing situations involving critically ill or injured patients.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing the standard of care and best practices.
- Implemented training programs for new flight nurses on equipment usage and safety standards.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL08-1988
Nursing Diploma - Nursing
Jackson Memorial School of Nusing
Miami, FL08-1988
Skills
- Healthcare informatics
- Clinical expertise
- Team management
- Patient care coordination
- Quality improvement
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Timeline
Clinical Lead /Registered Flight Nurse
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
09.2021 - 06.2025
Team Supervisor
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
08.2017 - 09.2021
Flight Nurse
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
07.2007 - 06.2025
Flight Nurse
Nicklaus Children's Hospital / Miami Children's Hospital
08.1994 - 06.2007
Associate of Science - Nursing
Miami Dade College
Nursing Diploma - Nursing
Jackson Memorial School of Nusing