Every so often, you meet someone who makes you wonder, how do they do it all? For Johnathan Liechty Colón, RN, director of Nursing Professional Development at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, service is not something to squeeze into his schedule, it’s who he is.
Colón, a 1993 graduate of the Indiana University School of Nursing, wears many hats. A seasoned nurse and educator, he spent more than a decade in perioperative nursing before dedicating himself to developing others in the profession. Today, he leads the Nurse Residency Program at Parkview, welcoming more than 300 nurse graduates each year and helping them transition from the classroom to clinical practice.
“That’s one of the things I’m most proud of,” Colón said. “We’re helping new nurses build confidence and find their place in the profession.”
But his influence extends far beyond the hospital walls. Colón is a Blood Donor Ambassador with the American Red Cross and currently chairs the National Mentorship Program for Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., a professional nursing organization with more than 900 members representing diverse cultural backgrounds.
“We’re now in our second full year of the mentorship program,” he explained. “Our first cohort completed a year-long journey, and now we’re welcoming about 150 participants this year, a combination of mentors and mentees. Some mentors are even mentees themselves, which shows how continuous the cycle of growth can be.”
He also serves as president-elect of the Indiana Association for Nursing Professional Development and sits on the Board of Advisors for the IU School of Nursing in Fort Wayne. Previously, he served as president—and now immediate past president—of the Zeta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., in Fort Wayne.
Rooted in Family
Colón’s commitment to service runs deep, rooted in the remarkable story of his family. His grandparents were Mennonite missionaries from Indiana who adopted his father as an infant during a mission trip to Puerto Rico. His father grew up in the mission field and carried those values throughout his life.
“Both my dad and mom were always involved in service,” Colón recalled. “My dad has a degree in music and education and worked for Fort Wayne Community Schools for more than 20 years. The education side of me comes from my dad, and the healthcare side of me comes from my mom.”
His mother, an LPN in Puerto Rico, went on to serve patients at Parkview Hospital for more than 30 years, primarily in the newborn nursery and pediatrics.
“I’ve been around Parkview for about 50 years,” Colón said with a smile. “It’s like home.”
When Colón was just two years old, his family moved from Puerto Rico and settled near his grandparents’ farm in DeKalb County so his grandparents could retire from missionary work and be closer to their children.
“A lot of my service started when I was young, in church and in the community,” he said. “My dad was always very active in Fort Wayne. That’s where I learned that giving of yourself is just part of who you are.”
Mentorship as a Calling
As Colón describes it, mentoring others isn’t just part of his job, it’s part of his identity.
“Leadership development and mentorship are really about helping people see what’s already inside of them,” he said. “I enjoy helping others find their strengths and gain self-awareness. It’s incredible to see someone realize, ‘I can do this. I belong here.’”
Under his leadership, Chi Eta Phi’s mentorship initiative has become a powerful force for professional growth, pairing nurses and students from across the country in structured, year-long relationships.
“We’re building connections across generations,” he said. “Some mentors have mentors of their own. It’s a community of learning and support.”
When asked what drives him to stay so involved—from professional associations to community service—Colón doesn’t hesitate.
“It starts with your professional identity in nursing,” he said. “As nurses, we have this calling, an interest in serving through the sciences. That’s what makes our work so unique.
“I’ve always been connected with my community,” he continued. “I’ve been connected through my faith, and part of my well-being is walking alongside others. Whether through my job, volunteer service, or mentoring, it’s about being a servant to others.”
He often reminds his peers that nursing doesn’t stop when the shift ends.
“As nurses, we not only have a duty to our job or our employer, but we are nurses 24/7, 365 days a year,” he said. “We’re the people our friends and families call when they have health questions. That’s our calling.”
Colón sees this sense of purpose as something alumni can carry into their own communities.
“Get involved,” he encouraged. “Whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, or sharing your expertise, you have something valuable to give. Service isn’t about having extra time. It’s about making time for what truly matters.”
And for Colón, that calling is beautifully summed up in a personal motto that guides every part of his life:
“Live to learn. Learn to love. And then love to serve.”