Nelda “Nell” Lee Bratcher

Nelda Lee “Nell” Bratcher, born July 26, 1938, in Louisville KY, passed away December 21, 2023.  Her parents Stuart C. and Elizabeth (Wainwright) Bratcher, and her brother, Stuart Wesley Bratcher preceded her in death.  Nell is survived by sister-in-law Winnie Smith Bratcher, Georgetown, KY, niece Vicki Watson (Jerry), Zionsville, IN, nephew Stuart Kris Bratcher, Georgetown, KY, and niece Rebecca Laxton (Steve), Charlotte, N.C.  She is also survived by great-nephew G. Bryan Watson (Alison) and great-great niece Louise Watson, Indianapolis, IN, great-niece Katherine Elizabeth Watson (Chanwook Kim) and great-great niece Dayna Kim, Seoul, South Korea, great-nieces Mikaela Laxton, Carleigh Laxton, Grace Laxton, and great-nephew Jacob Laxton, Charlotte, NC, as well as numerous Bratcher and Wainwright cousins.

Nell graduated from duPont Manual High School in Louisville 1955 and entered the Murray State University (Murray, Kentucky) and Owensboro/Daviess County Hospital Nursing Program on full nursing scholarship. She graduated as Certified Registered Nurse December 1959. After over 50 years of nursing, serving in several positions in several states, she retired in 2010.

As a student nurse in Owensboro Hospital during late 1950’s, Nell discovered her leadership abilities as she served as President of the Nursing Education Majors and Secretary of the freshman class at Murray State University and Youth Leader for a local Baptist Church. Her senior year Nell was elected President of the Kentucky Student Nurses Association. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Diploma in Nursing from Murray State University. She completed a Master of Arts in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University Extension, Washington D.C.

Nell’s many roles included Clinical Instructor, Prince George’s Community College, Largo, Maryland; Acute Care Officer, Medicare Professional Standards Review Organization, Washington D.C.; Delivery Ward Coordinator, Columbia Hospital for Woman, Washington, D.C. She was Clinical Instructor Maternal and Child Health, Maryland General, Baltimore, and Supervisor of Obstetrics, Bloomington Hospital, Bloomington, Indiana. She was Assistant Administrator, Patient Care Services at Brazosport Memorial Hospital, a 165 bed hospital at Lake Jackson. From Texas, Nell relocated to Goshen, Indiana, joining the staff at Goshen Health Center (IU North). As Vice President of Nursing services she led the hospital’s effort to achieve Magnet designation, one of the nation’s most prestigious nursing honors.

At Greater Southeast Health Care System, Washington, D.C. she was Consultant to President/CEO; Vice President of  Patient Care Services; Associate Director Maternal/Child Health, Psychiatry, and Critical Care Nursing, and managed the Henry J, Kaiser Family Foundation planning grant, “Training Program for Community Lay Volunteers as Educators for Women’s Health.

One of Nell’s most satisfying roles was Consultant to the Pan American Health Organization and Barbados Ministry of Health where she managed on contract a nursing exchange program that advanced nursing at a regional hospital in the West Indies, 1988-1994.  During 1991-92 as hospital administrator she planned, opened, and managed a much needed 33-bed hospital in an underserved area in Fort Washington, Maryland. That experience included hiring and organizing the medical and nonmedical staff of 92.

Nell’s last nursing position was with Clarian (IU West) Medical Center, Avon, IN, where she served as Chief Nurse Executive and Vice President of Patient Care Services.  She was a member of Sigma Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and The Executive American Nurses Association.

After retiring from in 2010, she turned her caring heart to Our Little Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, a “no kill” facility housing about 180 dogs where, as a volunteer, she spent many hours helping with fundraising. (https://olbhrescue.wpcomstaging.com/)

Nell loved to travel and made annual visits to the Christmas Markets in Europe shopping for family and friends and leaves them with special reminders of her love. Other passions were attending Indianapolis Colts and Wabash College football games and Indiana Fever basketball games. There will be memorials in Kentucky at a later date.

Services for Nell have been entrusted to Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Care of Zionsville.