Ohio’s 95-Year-Old Nursing Legend Ella Kick Continues to Inspire with Compassion and Craftsmanship
At 95 years old, Ella Kick is a testament to resilience, compassion, and innovation. Whether she’s kneading dough for homemade pizza, crafting scrubbies from scratch, or advocating for seniors as a nursing home ombudsman, Kick’s life is a tapestry of service and creativity. But her true legacy lies in her seven-decade career as a registered nurse, where she touched countless lives and continues to fight for the future of healthcare in Ohio.
Born into poverty during the Great Depression, Kick’s journey to becoming a nurse was anything but easy. “We were as poor as you could be,” she recalls. “Everything came from welfare. I lived in a two-room shack, and we had to go outside to use the bathroom.” Despite these hardships, Kick’s determination led her to graduate from Saint John Hospital School of Nursing in 1951.
Her career spanned 50 years, during which she faced some of the most challenging moments in healthcare. She served as an obstetric nurse for nearly 15 years, helping mothers through the heartbreak of stillbirths and caring for infants with severe medical conditions. “That’s difficult to deal with,” she admits. Her work expanded into forensics in later years, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the field.
Kick’s ingenuity extends beyond nursing. Growing up during World War II, she learned to make do with limited resources. She recalls crafting bandages, improvising baby formula with Karo syrup and Carnation milk, and even patching rubber gloves for reuse. “The surgeon got the new gloves,” she says with a laugh. “The rest of us had to make do.”
Today, Kick channels that same resourcefulness into making scrubbies—small blue sponges that she crafts herself. Beyond their practical uses, she says some people use them to soothe psoriasis or other skin conditions. “One of my patients hadn’t seen her elbow for three years until she got this scrubby,” she shares proudly.
But Kick’s contributions don’t stop there. Recognizing the critical nursing shortage in Ohio, she played a pivotal role in launching a nursing foundation aimed at supporting aspiring nurses. Rebecca Patton, president of the American Nurses Association of Ohio, describes Kick as “one of a kind.” “Ella can do circles around people 30 or 40 years younger than her,” Patton says.
Kick’s generosity helped the foundation provide immediate grants and scholarships to nursing students, ensuring the next generation of caregivers receives the support they need. Her commitment to her community remains unwavering, even as she approaches her centennial year.
In her memoir, Ella Care: A Life of Adventure and Discovery in Nursing, Kick shares her inspiring journey—from overcoming poverty to becoming a trailblazer in healthcare. Her story is a reminder that compassion and perseverance can transform lives.
For Kick, her mission is simple: “Compassion for others is all that matters.” Whether she’s advocating for seniors, mentoring young nurses, or crafting scrubbies, she continues to embody that ethos every day.
As Ohio grapples with a nursing crisis, Ella Kick’s legacy serves as a beacon of hope—a reminder that one person’s dedication can make a profound difference.
— Reported by Nexio News
