When you’re raised in a family of healthcare professionals you see firsthand the impact that compassionate care can have on both patients and their families.
Olivia Gerlach grew up in a family like that and for her, nursing is more than a career—it’s a calling rooted in empathy, leadership, and human connection. As she prepares to graduate from the Master of Nursing program at the ϳԹ's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, she reflects on a journey that has deepened both her skills and her sense of purpose.
“I’ve always known I wanted to be in a profession where I could make a real difference,” she said. “Watching my family support others during difficult times inspired me to become the kind of nurse people can rely on when they need it most.”
Drawn to ϳԹ for its nationally respected program, rigorous academics, and exceptional clinical partnerships with Cleveland’s top hospitals, Gerlach has found the school of nursing to be a place that both challenges and supports.
“The program’s emphasis on evidence-based practice and holistic care has truly shaped me as a future nurse,” she said. And through clinical rotations at Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth, she’s combined classroom learning with hands-on care—gaining both skill and confidence.
“The most rewarding part of nursing has been forming genuine connections with patients during their most vulnerable moments,” Gerlach said. “Being able to offer presence, compassion, and advocacy has taught me that healing often begins with feeling seen and heard.”
A former lacrosse team captain at John Carroll University, she earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science, Gerlach has worked to break mental health stigma through the nonprofit Morgan’s Message, which supports student athletes. She brought those same values—leadership, advocacy, and compassion—with her to ϳԹ.
After graduation, Gerlach plans to begin her career in the Cleveland Clinic emergency department and later pursue becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
“At the heart of everything I do is empathy,” she said. “I want to make people feel valued, supported, and never alone. I’m still learning, and I always will be—but I’m incredibly grateful for this journey and the people it’s brought into my life.”