Every successful healthcare team relies on people who are willing to share their knowledge, support others, and lead by example. For Sue Mondani, MSN, RN, CCHP, that commitment has been the foundation of a career dedicated to both patient care and education.
As an Operational Training Specialist with CorrHealth, Sue helps prepare team members for success by providing training, supporting facility transitions, and ensuring staff have the tools and confidence they need to deliver exceptional patient care. Whether she’s leading New Hire Orientation, assisting with annual training, or helping launch healthcare services at a newly transitioned facility like Chaves County, Sue brings decades of experience, compassion, and a genuine passion for teaching.
A Career Inspired by Caring for Others
Sue’s journey into healthcare wasn’t a traditional one.
After beginning her career in academic research laboratories and biotechnology, she realized her passion wasn’t behind the scenes. She wanted to work directly with patients and make a difference in people’s lives.
She first became a Certified Nursing Assistant before making what she describes as the “terrifying decision” to return to school as a non-traditional student to become a nurse.
That decision ultimately changed the course of her career.
Looking back, Sue says it was one of the best decisions she ever made, opening the door to opportunities that allowed her to care for patients while also inspiring future healthcare professionals.
Finding a Home at CorrHealth
Sue first joined the correctional healthcare field in 2014 while working as a nurse at the Larimer County Jail in Fort Collins, Colorado. During her time there, she experienced multiple transitions among healthcare vendors before CorrHealth became the provider.
That experience gave her a unique perspective on what makes CorrHealth different.
“CorrHealth is without a doubt the company that prioritizes patient healthcare and doing the right thing for the humans we care for,” Sue says.
Outside of correctional nursing, Sue also served as an instructor for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing at Front Range Community College.
Interestingly, it was during her own nursing education at Front Range that correctional healthcare first captured her interest. After completing clinical rotations at the jail, she discovered a calling she hadn’t expected.
Years later, as a college instructor, Sue would send her own nursing students to complete clinical hours in the same environment.
“My students worked with what can be an intimidating population and learned that our patients, like all of us, are humans who are dealing with stuff,” she explains. “They learned to focus on the humans, not the charges or behaviors.”
That philosophy continues to shape her work today.
Supporting CorrHealth Teams Across the Organization
Today, Sue serves as an Operational Training Specialist with CorrHealth’s Training Team, helping team members develop the knowledge and confidence they need to provide high-quality patient care.
Her role is incredibly diverse.
She helps create and update training materials, presents New Hire Orientation and Annual Training, travels to correctional facilities to provide in-person education, and assists with facility transitions across the organization.
Most recently, Sue played an important role in CorrHealth’s successful transition to Chaves County, New Mexico, helping train staff on electronic medical records, policies, and day-to-day workflows, while also stepping in for nursing shifts when additional clinical support was needed.
No matter the location, Sue’s goal remains the same: ensuring every team member feels prepared and supported.
The Power of Collaboration
When asked what she enjoys most about working with CorrHealth’s Training Team, Sue doesn’t hesitate.
“Our team works so well together,” she says. “It is important to be able to give and receive feedback about content and presentation, and our team does this like rock stars.”
That collaborative spirit makes training stronger and ultimately benefits every CorrHealth facility.
By sharing ideas, improving educational materials, and supporting one another, the Training Team helps create consistent, high-quality experiences for new and existing team members alike.
Never Forget Your “Why”
Throughout her nursing career, Sue has remained grounded in a simple philosophy.
“We need to always remember our ‘why’ and continue to provide great care.”
As both a nurse and educator, she believes the focus should always remain on the patient.
“As a nurse, I have prioritized providing quality, compassionate care to humans in custody,” she says. “As a trainer, I get to remind people of my ‘why’ and hopefully help them keep the focus on our patients.”
That perspective extends into one of the most important lessons she teaches.
People in custody are more than the circumstances that brought them there.
Many have experienced trauma, difficult life circumstances, or limited opportunities. Sue believes correctional healthcare professionals have a responsibility to see the person first and provide compassionate, ethical care without allowing outside factors to influence their treatment.
It is a mindset that not only benefits patients but also helps healthcare professionals build stronger, more meaningful careers.
Life Beyond the Classroom
Outside of CorrHealth, Sue enjoys spending time with her husband and their cat.
Whether they’re exploring local coffee shops, trying new restaurants, or relaxing with a movie at home, she values the simple moments spent together.
Many people are surprised to learn that she also enjoys knitting blankets and hats and has a passion for weightlifting.
“I love to lift weights,” she says, laughing that it sometimes surprises people, “since I am not a young person.”
Later this year, Sue and her husband will begin another exciting chapter as they relocate from Colorado to New Mexico, where they’ll continue exploring new communities and cheering on their favorite New England sports teams.
A Lasting Impact
Behind every successful orientation, every confident new hire, and every smooth facility transition is someone committed to helping others succeed.
For CorrHealth, Sue Mondani is one of those people.
Her ability to combine decades of clinical experience with a passion for teaching has helped teams across the organization. Whether she’s mentoring new nurses, supporting site transitions, or reminding others to keep patients at the center of everything they do, Sue exemplifies the values that define CorrHealth.
We are grateful for Sue’s dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping both patients and fellow team members thrive. Her impact extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the future of CorrHealth one lesson, one transition, and one teammate at a time.