Elaine Ollerton George calls for renewed focus on local care, compassion, and showing up where it matters most

MAGNA, UT / ACCESS Newswire / August 29, 2025 / After more than two decades on the front lines of patient care and nursing education, Elaine Ollerton George, RN, BSN, is urging Utahns to support community health-not just through systems, but through small, everyday actions.

"As nurses, we're taught to chart vitals and give meds," George says. "But the real work starts when we slow down and listen. That's where healing begins."

George, a clinical educator at Mountain Health Alliance and lifelong West Valley City resident, has seen firsthand how under-resourced neighborhoods suffer most when trust breaks down between healthcare systems and the people they serve. From mobile clinics to classroom teaching, she's spent her career building that trust.

The Case for Community-Based Care

According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services:

• Nearly 1 in 5 Utahns lives in a medically underserved area

• Chronic disease is the leading cause of death in the state

• Behavioral health needs remain unmet in 40% of Utah counties

These gaps are especially visible in places like West Valley City, where Elaine was born, raised, and still lives.

"There's a myth that you have to leave home to be successful," George says. "But I stayed because the need is right here. And so is the opportunity."

She co-founded Safe Haven Saturdays, a volunteer-run mobile clinic offering free blood pressure checks, mental health screenings, and flu shots across the west side of Salt Lake County. She also speaks at local high schools, mentors new nurses, and volunteers with Be the Match.

"You Don't Need a Title to Be Useful"

When the pandemic hit, Elaine was leading a hospital unit during one of its most chaotic periods. But the moment that stands out most to her is not a code blue or a crisis.

"A young nurse broke down in the break room. I didn't fix anything-I just sat with her," she recalls. "Later, she told me that kept her from quitting. That's leadership too."

It's this human-centered approach that defines Elaine's message: care starts with presence.

What You Can Do

Elaine's call to action is simple: do what you can, where you are.

"You don't need a degree or a policy to support your community," she says. "You can show up to a flu shot clinic. You can walk your neighbor through their medication instructions. You can listen."

She encourages Utahns to:

• Volunteer locally at community health events or school wellness nights

• Support public health education by sharing resources with friends and family

• Learn basic health skills like blood pressure checks or mental health first aid

• Talk to healthcare workers-and listen to their insights

"If more people just took time to ask someone how they're doing, we'd already be moving in the right direction," she adds.

About Elaine Ollerton George

Elaine Ollerton George is a Registered Nurse, Clinical Educator, and lifelong West Valley City resident. She has over 20 years of experience in acute and community care settings and has been recognized by Intermountain Healthcare, the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Utah Nurses Association for her service and leadership. She currently teaches with Mountain Health Alliance and serves on the advisory board for Nurses for Rural Utah.

Media Contact

Elaine Ollerton George
info@elaineollertongeorgeutah.com
https://www.elaineollertongeorgeutah.com/

SOURCE: Elaine Ollerton George