“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” ~Bill Bradley, former NBA player, and U.S. senator .
ɫҹ Geauga alumna Brittany Sustar, MBA, BSN, RN-BC (Class of 2010), has been selected to receive this year's Distinguished Alumni Award, the most prestigious honor given by this regional campus. It honors highly exceptional alumni who have made outstanding contributions in their field and have demonstrated extraordinary service to the university and the community. This award will be presented at the 2025 commencement ceremony on May 9, 2025.
Brittany is the Nursing Operations/Patient Experience Manager at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center. A leader at UH Geauga and an active community volunteer, she serves as board chair for Lifeline, Inc. and is active on the Geauga YMCA board. Having recently completed a master’s degree in business administration—with her sights on future administrative roles relating to facility operations, sustainability, and the care environment—she plans to pursue a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP). None of these goals or accomplishments seemed within reach 21 years ago when she became a single mother at age 17.
What could have become an insurmountable obstacle to her dream of becoming a nurse instead became the most powerful source of motivation for the 2003 Berkshire High School graduate.
Brittany says, “This made me even more motivated to better myself and create the best life possible for my daughter and myself. It also limited me as far as going off to college. I chose to take the community college path to allow for home-life balance.”
Initially, Brittany attended Lakeland Community College part-time for three years, taking as many courses as possible while waiting for a spot to open in LCC’s nursing program. When it became clear she was still stuck on the waiting list, Brittany transferred to ɫҹ Geauga.
“It was such a blessing, being able to go to school close to home,” Brittany recalls. “I was faced with the need to balance motherhood with going to school, working, and finding time to study to be as successful as possible in the nursing program. It was challenging, to say the least, but I was blessed with many people who helped to support me along the way.”
With ɫҹ Geauga’s proximity to her then-Munson home, Brittany had time to get to classes during the day and to work in the evenings. “And I still had time to spend time with my daughter, Mercedes, and take care of my many responsibilities,” Brittany explains.
“I did my best with what I had. Thank goodness for WIC, county-provided child care support, and other essentials through Jobs and Family Services. Without those resources, I would not have been able to accomplish everything that I did. My daughter kept me strong during hardships, and support from my family and friends helped me achieve my dreams. Pursuing my faith journey was also a huge factor. To be hopeful, push past barriers, and know the Lord was on my side continuously helped me to persevere, stay determined, and practice resilience along the way.”
The supportive atmosphere at ɫҹ Geauga was a big help, as well. “The professors were great,” Brittany says.
“Our professor for Anatomy & Physiology, the late Dr. Thomas Cole (who I also had at LCC), would stay after class and help us through labs. He told us we were a breath of fresh air because, even though we were struggling, we were doing our best and staying dedicated. Associate Professor Christine Wyers also allowed for some fun in class, which really lightened up the room and provided memorable moments.
“With 20 people in our cohort, this smaller class size created a supportive learning environment for us at ɫҹ Geauga.”
Recalling this pivotal time in her life, Brittany says, “I was young and learning as much about myself as I was about nursing and motherhood. I met my future husband at KSU and we have been going strong ever since. He (Greg Sustar) took a large part in my success and completion of the program alongside my cohort friends Kerry Thoryk and Julia Parker. When people say they have a tribe, I can relate. We pushed each other, supported each other, and loved each other along the way!”
Since graduating from ɫҹ Geauga with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Brittany has been employed at Geauga Medical Center, swiftly moving into roles of increasing responsibilities.
Brittany has been a nurse there for 14 years now. Starting as a clinical nurse, she was a charge nurse/preceptor RN and Nurse Central Council Representative from 2011 to 2014. Over the subsequent four years, Brittany served as Assistant Nurse Manager/House Supervisor, responsible for unit staffing and scheduling, timekeeping and attendance, and facilitating onboarding of new hires, among other duties. Then from 2018 to 2019, she was Manager of Patient Experience/Observation Operations, where she developed and implemented patient experience improvement plans and initiatives related to enhancing HCAHPS performance. The following year, she was Manager of Patient Experience/1 West Center for Orthopedics, where she led a team focused on employee engagement, patient experience, and quality outcomes.
Since 2019, Brittany has been Manager of Nursing Operations and Patient Experience. She evaluates patient care processes, identifies areas of improvement, and develops strategies to enhance the quality of care, working with physicians, social workers, therapists, and pharmacists. She also recently was named Interim Director of Operations & Clinical Services, responsible for effective and efficient operations of a patient- and family-centered experience. She also oversees revenue growth and expense reduction with effective leadership and oversight of the hospital’s environment of care.
Along the way, Brittany has distinguished herself as a Healthcare Hero (2022), Hero of the Month (2017), President’s Award Winner (2014), and Unit Nurse of the Year (2013), among other recognitions of excellence.
Without a doubt, Brittany has beaten the odds. As she reflects on her accomplishments, she is filled with a gratitude that fuels even more ambition for the future. “My oldest daughter, Mercedes, graduated high school in 2022,” she shares.
“We made a deal that when she went to college, I was going to go back for my master’s degree. So that is exactly what I did. She is now in her senior year studying political science and I have successfully completed an MBA program with the plan to return to school at a later time for my DNP. Perhaps I will go back when my middle daughter ventures off to college.”
Brittany has developed both a resilience and a sensitivity that make her an effective role model for prospective students who want to pursue a fresh future at ɫҹ Geauga but are straddled with responsibilities and are unsure if it would be worth the investment of time, effort, and finances.
“Stay strong, commit to being a person of excellence, and appreciate the challenges along the way,” Brittany advises.
“Whether good or bad, there is always a lesson in the journey. Choose happy and embrace a positive mindset. Self-reflection and maintaining an attitude of gratitude despite the negative detours will help pave the way. It’s not easy, but when there is a will, there is a way.”