A Letter From the President – Dr. AJ Stephens

Many times, I have heard the advice “do not meet your heroes.” The apparent logic behind this statement is that someone’s professional or public persona provides an inaccurate representation of them, and it will be disappointing to discover the person’s true character.

Years ago, upon my initial introduction to the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership, I was in the audience of an incredible person who would become a hero. She was passionate, driven and possessed a fiercely independent spirit as she advocated for nurses, healthcare policy and the people of Texas. As I became more active and engaged in the organization, I had the opportunity to work alongside this hero and learn more about her, personally and professionally. This individual was policy advocate, board member, attorney and nurse Elizabeth Sjoberg. She was a clear demonstration that when a person is truly authentic, it is completely safe to meet a hero.

Elizabeth became a registered nurse in the State of Texas in 1968 and had a nursing career that spanned an impressive 55 years. During her time as a clinician, she worked in both hospital and clinic settings and was extremely proud of the impact she made in founding the Diabetic Training Program which left a lasting legacy in this vulnerable patient population. Later, she would attend law school and use her strength as a nurse and an attorney to advocate for nursing and healthcare policy.

In 1995, Elizabeth joined the Texas Hospital Association as an in-house attorney and was responsible for advocating for member hospitals and health systems through the legislative and regulatory arenas. She kept members informed about current topics in healthcare law and led the association in addressing healthcare workforce shortages. Throughout her tenure, she remained committed to supporting multiple facets and disciplines of healthcare in Texas including nursing licensure and practice, emergency medical services standards and funding, patient safety, advanced directives, end-of-life care and public health promotion and wellness.  

In 2015, Elizabeth became a board member of the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership and would later be named the organization’s first paid lobbyist, though she would never cash a paycheck. Elizabeth was the chair of TONL’s legislative committee and represented the organization in the Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition through the end of Texas’ 88th Legislature in May 2023. In February 2023, she was the recipient of the first TONL Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of more than a half-century’s work in supporting nursing, healthcare and legislation.

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, Elizabeth Faye Sjoberg—beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, nurse and advocate—passed away at the young age of 73.

Dr. Tim Howell, TONL President 2018-2020, remembered Elizabeth saying, “Elizabeth was my friend and mentor throughout my time on the TONL Board. Her immense knowledge and thoughtful insight into the Texas political landscape was greatly influential in guiding TONL board decisions. Her life will be remembered as a nurse leader who influenced safe patient care across the State of Texas. Her wit, wisdom and experience will be truly missed.”

Dr. Cole Edmonson, TONL President 2014-2016, said of her, “Elizabeth, your incredible legacy is people. It is in your fierce spirit, combined with your compassionate heart. My heart is broken today, but I am and always will be inspired to be just like you—fearless, caring, and always focused on the right thing. Our paths will cross again, because I have faith and believe that great people have a way of finding great people in this world and beyond.”

To quote American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—that is to have succeeded.” The Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership celebrates the many successes of Elizabeth Sjoberg and thanks her for leaving this world a far better place than she found it.

To my colleague, friend and hero may I say, simply, thank you for being you.

Sincerely,

Dr. AJ Stephens, DNP, MBA-HCA, RN, NEA-BC