DEBRA ANN CELESKI, BSN, RN-AMB-BC, CCRN
Homer Glen,IL
Summary
Emergency preparedness and healthcare operations leader with 28+ years in high-reliability organizations. Expert in developing emergency response programs, coordinating teams, and enhancing resilience through quality improvement. Proven track record in disaster planning, simulation exercises, and interdisciplinary collaboration for effective crisis leadership and management.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Admissions & Visiting RN
Lighthouse Hospice
02.2024 - Current
- Develop individualized emergency preparedness and disaster planning strategies for every hospice admission, including contingency planning for power outages, severe weather, equipment failure, medication access, evacuation planning, and emergency communication.
- Educate patients, caregivers, and families regarding emergency response procedures, disaster planning, medication management, equipment safety, and continuity of care.
- Coordinate interdisciplinary care across physicians, nursing, pharmacies, DME suppliers, social workers, chaplains and facilities
- Ensure compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation, organizational policies, and regulatory documentation standards.
Critical Care Outreach Team RN
UI Health
12.2025 - 06.2026
- Served as clinical leader during hospital emergency response activations throughout a Level I academic medical center.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary teams during rapidly evolving high-acuity events requiring immediate assessment, prioritization, and intervention.
- Developed simulation scenarios, structured debriefings, mock code initiatives, and educational programs to improve emergency preparedness and organizational readiness.
- Designed research tools supporting emergency preparedness, tracheostomy safety rounds, simulation evaluation, and performance improvement.
- Standardized documentation, improved emergency response processes, and strengthened quality outcomes.
- Analyzed safety trends and contributed to system-wide quality improvement initiatives focused on reducing adverse events.
Flight Nurse / Critical Care Transport RN
Superior Ambulance
08.2019 - 12.2025
- Delivered critical care transport across multiple healthcare systems while operating within DOT, FAA, EMS, and organizational regulatory requirements.
- Coordinated high-risk interfacility transport requiring advanced clinical judgment, risk mitigation, and operational decision making.
- Maintained operational readiness of specialized transport equipment and emergency response resources.
- Collaborated with physicians, EMS agencies, respiratory therapists, hospitals, dispatch centers, and public safety organizations during critical incidents.
- Exhibited proficiency in EMS dispatch operations, communication systems, resource coordination, and interfacility transport processes facilitating prompt incident response
Clinical Practice Specialist
Advocate Aurora Health
01.2017 - 08.2019
- Led development of Occupational Health policies, workflows, clinical standards, and operational procedures supporting employee health and workplace safety.
- Applied OSHA workplace safety principles and healthcare regulatory requirements while supporting Occupational Health initiatives.
- Supported Advocate Walgreens clinics through workflow standardization, education, operational support, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Developed and implemented courses for orientation, competency, simulation, emergency preparedness, Clinical Coach, and Medical Assistant Certification Review programs.
- Conducted operational assessments, leadership coaching, and site visits to improve readiness, regulatory compliance, and clinical performance.
- Authored policies, procedures, workflows, and educational materials based upon evidence-based practice.
RN Manager
Rush University
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Directed daily operations for a high-volume practice, prioritizing safety compliance and efficiency.
- Led development of university standards at clinic level to enhance service delivery.
- Analyzed Press Ganey satisfaction scores, implementing action plans for service improvement.
- Collaborated with local municipalities to disseminate updates on operational priorities and emergency protocols.
- Co-chaired nursing committee, driving strategic initiatives in staff development and organizational resilience.
- Executed performance evaluations, utilizing just culture algorithms for effective mentoring and coaching.
- Directed vendor partnerships for the installation, maintenance and lifecycle management of specialized clinical equipment to ensure operational readiness and regulatory compliance
Charge RN, MICU and Med Surg
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
05.2008 - 01.2017
Charge Nurse
Palos Community Hospital
01.2013 - 01.2014
Clinical Coordinator
Tinley Woods Surgery Center
01.2012 - 01.2013
Certified Nurse Assistant
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
12.2005 - 05.2008
Flight Attendant / Purser
United Airlines
01.1998 - 01.2005
- Coordinated cabin crew and managed emergency communications and passenger safety during critical in-flight situations.
- Led emergency response during in-flight incidents, medical emergencies, evacuations, and irregular operations.
- Demonstrated leadership in crisis communication and conflict resolution, ensuring effective operational decision making under pressure.
- Ensured safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft in compliance with FAA regulations.
Education
Bachelors of Science in Nursing -
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Chicago, IL10-2013
Associate of Arts -
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL12-2007
Associate of Science -
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL12-2002
Skills
- Incident command/ disaster plan and response
- FEMA Coursework
- Risk management
- Project management
- OSHA/ occupational health safety regulations
- DOT, EPA, FAA, and FAR awareness/ compliance
- LEAN Six Sigma
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Simulation Development and implementation
- Emergency Drills
- Professional Development and Adult Learning
Volunteer Experience
- ASTNA editor and simulation writer
- Road Home Program
- MedFest
- Swim Across America
- Youth coach
Timeline
Critical Care Outreach Team RN
UI Health
12.2025 - 06.2026
Admissions & Visiting RN
Lighthouse Hospice
02.2024 - Current
Flight Nurse / Critical Care Transport RN
Superior Ambulance
08.2019 - 12.2025
Clinical Practice Specialist
Advocate Aurora Health
01.2017 - 08.2019
RN Manager
Rush University
01.2014 - 01.2017
Charge Nurse
Palos Community Hospital
01.2013 - 01.2014
Clinical Coordinator
Tinley Woods Surgery Center
01.2012 - 01.2013
Charge RN, MICU and Med Surg
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
05.2008 - 01.2017
Certified Nurse Assistant
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
12.2005 - 05.2008
Flight Attendant / Purser
United Airlines
01.1998 - 01.2005
Bachelors of Science in Nursing -
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Associate of Arts -
Moraine Valley Community College
Associate of Science -
Moraine Valley Community College