Phyllis Mesko retired on July 1, 2025, after 55 years of service.
During her sophomore year in high school, Phyllis Mesko was given an assignment – write a book report on “Sue Barton, Student Nurse.” Little did she know that book would change the course of her life. Inspired by the fictional character’s glamorous career, Phyllis decided to pursue nursing herself.
Phyllis’ graduation photo.
In 1970, Phyllis realized her dream when she passed her nursing boards and became an RN. But instead of a jet-setting life like Sue Barton, Phyllis discovered her passion for pediatrics. “I loved working with children and wearing colorful uniforms,” Phyllis said. “I found my niche eight years into my career at Akron Children’s in the Recovery Room, now called the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). I laughed and cried with my patients and families and felt this is where I belonged.”
As the years went by, Phyllis went from being the youngest nurse in the PACU to the oldest, and second in the hospital with the most service. During her years on the floors before she transitioned to the Recovery Room, Phyllis had a front-row seat to the ways nursing changed. “We used glass IV bottles and thermometers, and there were croup tents with ice in the back of the tent that needed to be changed during your shifts,” Phyllis said. “Smoking was also allowed in the hospital.”
The hospital wasn’t the only thing evolving during those years. Phyllis’ personal life was changing in ways that would influence her career path at Akron Children’s. She and her husband had three children: Jennifer, Heather and Mark. Mark was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and Phyllis started to explore tools to help him.
Phyllis with her husband and children.
“When Mark was first diagnosed, and we were struggling to find the method that would work best for him to communicate, I carried a Polaroid camera around with me and took pictures that represented things in Mark’s life,” Phyllis shared. “He was able to communicate by pointing to the picture.” Phyllis realized if Mark could use pictures to communicate, maybe her patients with special needs could benefit from this method, too.
Phyllis’ exposure to special needs began with her younger sister, Nancy, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. “I understood autism, and special needs in general, as a nurse, a mother and a sister,” Phyllis said. “I had no idea these picture communication tools would not only help Mark but also go on to help reenergize my nursing career.”
In 2009, Phyllis was selected for the Nurse Scholar program to conduct a research project on picture communication. “As a veteran diploma nurse, my studies did not include research,” Phyllis said. “I was mentored by Dr. Aris Beoglos Eliades, former director of nursing research. This training helped me to see the larger picture of how the profession has evolved. I became energized with my career again.”
Phyllis presenting at ICPAN.
This research led to some of her most memorable moments at Akron Children’s. In 2013, Phyllis won a first-place award at the International Conference for PeriAnaesthesia Nurses (ICPAN) in Dublin, Ireland. The following year, she was voted the Ohio March of Dimes Nurse of the Year in pediatrics for her research using picture communication for the assessment of pain locations in children and her experience with her son and patients who came through the PACU with autism.
Receiving the Nurse of the Year award.
“After each podium presentation, I have received emails, handwritten notes and requests for help from nurses and families nationally and internationally,” Phyllis shared. “My son, Mark, is now 40 years old; he still communicates with picture communication, through search engines on the computer and he can read. He also works in the community with a job coach.”
In her five decades as a nurse, Phyllis has achieved C.A.R.E. Ladder V – the highest level offered for career advancement at Akron Children’s. She has presented both poster and oral presentations at ASPAN national conferences, two ICPAN conferences and two OPANA conferences. Phyllis also presented at the National Pediatric Conference multiple times and the Magnet Conference. She has published in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing (JOPAN), winning a 2012 Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award for her first of three articles in that journal.
After a distinguished career, Phyllis retired on July 1, 2025. She’s looking forward to spending more time with friends and family – especially her four grandchildren, Elena, Elise, Max and Reagan.
Phyllis with her husband and grandkids.
She also plans to spend more time at her beach house in Marco Island, Florida. “My parents built this house many years ago, and it’s now my family’s happy place. We can relax on the lanai or near our small pool, go to the residents’ beach or for walks at Mackle Park and eat the best seafood around.”
At the beach in Florida.
As she reflects on her time at Akron Children’s, Phyllis has some words of advice for new employees.
“The excitement when you’re starting out, like any activity, may come and go,” she said. “After a few years, life can get in the way and often your career needs to be reenergized. Whether it’s a career move, or a different discipline to work on, go for it!”
