SARASOTA, Fla. (Nov. 25, 2025) – Elizabeth Bornstein, an oncology counselor with Sarasota Memorial’s Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, was recognized this month for decades of extraordinary dedication and care to cancer patients.
Bornstein was one of 11 Patient Care Honorees recognized by the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network (HCCN) at the 2025 Wholeness of Life Gala on Nov. 13. HCCN is a global nonprofit organization promoting a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasizes spiritual care and compassion for those facing illness and grief.
Each year, the organization selects honorees from every level of healthcare organizations – from physicians and nurses to counselors and chaplains– to recognize not only outstanding patient care, but also their “skillful, compassionate care of the human spirit.”
“We at HealthCare Ch
aplaincy Network and the Spiritual Care Association recognize our Patient Care Honorees are doing important work, and doing it well. Their ability to show caring and compassion is amazing,” said the Rev. Eric J. Hall, CEO of HCCN and Spiritual Care Association.
Betsy Wilford, who first heard of Bornstein when she was helping a family member undergoing cancer treatment more than 20 years ago, reconnected with Bornstein when she had to face her own diagnosis years later. Every time she and Bornstein talked, even when Betsy was fatigued from chemotherapy and radiation, she said she left their meetings feeling empowered with a renewed resilience that supported her during every step in her cancer journey.
“As it turns out, I am one of the lucky people who has been given a good prognosis,” Betsy said. “Elizabeth has helped me through every stage of cancer treatment and to find new meaning in my life now as a cancer survivor.”
Bornstein was surprised and humbled by the recognition and thanked the organization for investing the time and resources to honor community healthcare professionals for the holistic care they provide to patients. Upon receiving the award, she said, “I am especially honored to receive this special recognition. My work is truly a calling, and I am so grateful to serve our patients and their loved ones.”
About Sarasota Memorial and the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with nearly 2 million patient visits a year across two hospital campuses and a regional network of urgent care and outpatient centers. The Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute is a center of excellence that provides advanced cancer care across the entire continuum— from prevention, screening and diagnosis to advanced treatments, clinical trials and survivorship support. The Cancer Institute's world-class facilities include an 8-story oncology inpatient and surgical tower that opened on the Sarasota hospital campus in 2021, a Radiation Oncology Center that opened on the University Parkway outpatient campus in 2020, and a new Cancer Pavilion with a full slate of outpatient services slated to open in early 2026. Learn more at smh.com/cancer.