Feb. 20, 2024

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Courtney Bornitz, director of nursing in the surgical trauma unit at Sanford Health.

Name: Courtney Bornitz

Hometown: Tracy, Minnesota

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

After I finished my degree in nursing at St. Cloud State, I was looking for my next great adventure, an adventure that was far enough away from home but not too far. Sanford Health is truly what brought me to Sioux Falls. At the time, I wanted nothing more than to land an RN job in a hospital setting in which I knew I could grow personally and professionally.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Interestingly, I am working on relocating back to Sioux Falls from southwest Minnesota. Sioux Falls offers a small-town feel within the community all while having something for everyone. For those reasons, I am really looking forward to being back.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

There are many things about my job that fill my bucket. The most substantial is being able to recognize and lift the strengths of the individuals on my team and not only seeing them grow but also watching their patients thrive in the spirit of their exceptional care.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I was drawn to nursing in my adolescent years through experiences with family being on the receiving end of care. As they say, challenging experiences often lead to larger purposes in life. My knack and love for leadership came as a surprise to me and not without a few friendly nudges over the years to take the leap. I can’t thank those individuals enough for their belief in my abilities.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Agile, gratifying and engaging.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I have considered buying my own fish house/camper.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

Supporting small businesses, saying hello, buying someone a coffee or maybe holding a door are ways I give back to the community. To me, it is the little things that make the greatest impact.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

On a less serious note, I would love to see The Cheesecake Factory!

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

Very different from my everyday work, but it would be an incredible opportunity to start an event planning/decorating business. I am a bit of a crafty perfectionist that loves piecing things together.