Elliot Emergency Department Nurse Named Miss New Hampshire USA!

Exciting news from the Elliot Emergency Department, Ariel Sullivan, RN was recently named Miss New Hampshire USA!

Ariel competed in her first pageant at 15 years old and it has been her dream to earn a national title ever since. Ariel has competed in the Miss New Hampshire USA pageant twice, the first time being last year where she came in first runner, and the second time just a few weeks ago when she was named Miss New Hampshire USA at the Palace Theatre in Manchester NH, a venue that has a special connection to Ariel. “My grandmother and mom used to take me there [the Palace Theatre] every Christmas to watch the Nutcracker as a little girl. Sometimes, pageant locations vary from year to year, so to compete on a stage I grew up admiring others on was truly a full circle moment,” said Ariel. 

How did Miss New Hampshire get into nursing? Ariel has always loved science and medicine, but her grandmother is ultimately who she credits with her passion for helping others. To Ariel, nursing perfectly combines science, medicine, and compassion. Ariel says, “The Elliot’s mission, values, and morals aligned with my own and I am so proud to work here alongside my intelligent colleagues in the ER”. In November, Ariel will celebrate three years with The Elliot.  

While some may say that pageantry and nursing could not be more different, Ariel sees many similarities and shared values in the two. Just like nurses, Ariel has found that women in pageantry are passionate about changing the world, standing up for what’s right, and advocating for those who cannot do so for themselves.  

With less than a month before Ariel will compete in Miss USA, she is getting a lot of support from her colleagues at The Elliot. John Leary, RN director of emergency services at The Elliot said, “We are certainly proud of her achievement and the fact that she represents The Elliot and more specifically the emergency nursing profession. We wish her the best representing New Hampshire at Miss USA 2024.” 

In addition to nursing and pageantry, Ariel is also an active volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) as an advocate for New Hampshire children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Throughout the year, Ariel builds a relationship with a child who has been removed from their home, assesses progress that their guardian has been making, and advocates for the child in court. As someone with a close connection to domestic abuse, Ariel says, “CASA allowed me to become the advocate I needed as a little girl.”  

Congratulations, Ariel, and good luck at Miss USA 2024!  

Update: Ariel competed in the Miss USA pageant on August 4th. 

"I can't begin to explain what it felt like to be on that stage and behind the scenes of it all, not to mention, an opportunity to shed light on my work, initiatives, and causes on a national platform," said Ariel.

 Learn more about the Elliot Emergency Department here.