When Ashley Vilona ’14 first stepped onto St. Ambrose University’s campus, she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to study. But she knew one thing right away – it felt like home.
“I really fell in love with this small-community feel,” Vilona said. “I went to a high school where my graduating class was over 1,000 students, so having that tight-knit, closer feel was something that really drew me in.”
That sense of connection would go on to shape not only her college experience, but her career.
Today, Vilona is the emergency department manager at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Illinois, leading a team in a Level I trauma center. In 2025, she was named Advocate Health Care’s Illinois Division Nurse Leader of the Year, a recognition of her leadership, commitment to patient care, and ability to build a strong team culture.
But her journey started with uncertainty and a willingness to take a chance.
Finding her path
Vilona didn’t enter college with a clear career plan. Nursing wasn’t always the goal, but it quickly became the right fit.
“Someone suggested to me, ‘Well, what about nursing? You like taking care of people. You like helping people,” she said. “And I stuck with it, and I’ve loved it ever since.”
At St. Ambrose, that initial interest turned into a passion, supported by strong relationships and hands-on experiences.
During her senior year, she completed her capstone clinical in an emergency department, an opportunity that confirmed what she already suspected.
“I had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to do ER nursing,” she said. “When I got to do my capstone there, I was super excited, and that really helped me grow, graduate, and become a new grad in the emergency department.”
Her time at St. Ambrose also gave her the confidence and communication skills needed to step into a fast-paced healthcare environment.
“You learn the foundations of nursing at Ambrose. Knowing how to talk to patients and coworkers really helped me when starting my career,” Vilona said.
That foundation extended beyond clinical skills. The university’s emphasis on community continues to shape her work today.
“I think the important lesson I got from Ambrose of having that community partnership really helps me as a leader now,” Vilona said.
Thriving in the emergency department
After graduating in 2014, Vilona began her career as a nurse in the emergency department, a setting she quickly fell in love with.
“Every day is a different experience. You never know what’s going to walk through the doors,” she said. “I thrive in that chaos and that adrenaline rush.”
More importantly, the role gave her the opportunity to support patients during their most difficult moments.
“Being able to be there and help when someone’s having the worst day of their life is really rewarding,” she said.
Encouraged by mentors and colleagues, Vilona moved into leadership, first as an assistant manager and later as department manager in 2022. Today, Vilona leads with a focus on service, collaboration, care, and support.
“I would say I’m more of a servant leader,” she said. “I get to advocate and really serve the team that I lead.”
Her leadership has led to meaningful improvements in her department, including a team-based care model that strengthened collaboration and patient care.
“It really has helped to improve collaboration and patient throughput,” she said. “It’s really brought the team together.”
That culture of teamwork and support is what she values most – and what made her recent recognition especially meaningful.
“It means the world to me,” Vilona said. “Being recognized by my team – it just speaks volumes to the culture that we’ve built here.”
Vilona continues to build on the foundation she started at St. Ambrose. In 2024, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a nurse executive specialty, strengthening her leadership and operational perspective.
As she looks ahead, she remains focused on growth, both for herself and her team.
“I’m a firm believer in whatever is meant to be will be,” she said. “I’m excited to see where life takes me.”
Advice for future Ambrosians
For students considering a career in nursing, Vilona encourages them to embrace opportunities, even when they feel uncertain.
“Put yourself in uncomfortable situations and find those opportunities,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to take a chance, and don’t be afraid to jump on an opportunity when it presents itself.”
It’s advice rooted in her own experience – one that began with a campus visit and, ultimately, led her to a meaningful career.
Ready to make an impact in health care? At St. Ambrose, you’ll gain the skills and real-world experience to lead with confidence. Explore nursing here.
