The Voice Behind the Words
May 2025
As the voice behind many of The Beryl Institute’s publications, Terri Ipsen combines her love of writing and passion for patient experience in her role as Director, Content. Outside work, she’s a longtime church pianist, religious education teacher, and proud grandma. Whether coaching tots in music and dance or horseback riding in Iceland with her Danish husband, Terri brings heart and purpose to everything she does.
I fell in love with patient experience while working as an executive assistant to the chief nursing officer in a hospital. From my unique vantage point, I witnessed both the strengths and struggles of the nursing organization—the very heart of patient care. Nurses became a natural audience for my budding desire to make a difference. But without a clear path to pursue that passion at the hospital, I eventually moved on—landing at The Beryl Institute, where I found the perfect intersection of my two great loves: patient experience and writing.
Behind many of the Institute’s publications, I serve as the quiet hand helping to craft and share the stories of the patient experience community. I interview members, facilitate focus groups, and translate real-world stories into papers, case studies, and blogs that inform and inspire others in the field.
Outside work, I lead a full and joy-filled life supporting the church. A church pianist for nearly 30 years, I have carried my love of music from Pennsylvania to California to Florida. I teach religious education to second graders, lead music and dance for tots aged 2 to 4, and contribute to the music program at summer camp—all part of my deep commitment to supporting young families in my church community.
Above all, my favorite title is “Gammy.” I cherish every moment with my grandchildren, Ty and Savannah, who remind me daily that life is precious and full of possibility—and that I have a meaningful role to play in the chapters still ahead of them.
My Danish husband also adds excitement and adventure to my life, introducing me to the cultural treasures of Copenhagen and inspiring me to try Icelandic horseback riding. Together, we’ve traveled to Iceland twice, where I fell in love with both the horses and the raw beauty of the landscape.
Through my writing, music, faith, and family, I aim to live with heart, purpose, and connection and be a source of light and inspiration—both on the page and for those I am blessed to have in my life.
About the Spotlight Series:
You know our faces. You know our names and roles. But do you know about our passions outside of The Beryl Institute? Probably not, so we'd like to change that.
Welcome to The Spotlight Series, a monthly series highlighting the team members of The Beryl Institute. Each month, one member of our team will share interesting facts about their life outside the Institute. It is said The Beryl Institute is like "family," and we aim to expand on this sentiment through greater insight into the human beings behind our Institute titles. We hope you enjoy connecting with us in this way. May the power of connection bring us closer together as a community.
