Class Year: 2025
Program: Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Leadership
At first glance, dual careers in flying agricultural drones and nursing may seem worlds apart, but a closer look reveals a long list of connections.
Both careers involve systems, problem-solving and innovation, as well as optimizing processes, improving outcomes and leveraging technology to deliver care—at least that’s how Ethan Moore sees it.
The second-year Master of Science in Nursing student, who is specializing in nurse leadership, began honing his own career early.
In 2019 at just 17 years old—while still in high school—he became the youngest student to attend Lorain County Community College’s (LCCC) nursing program, graduating in 2021 with an Associate in Science degree. A year later, he founded Lake Erie Drone—an agriculture spraying business that uses drone technology to deliver precise pesticides to small farms in Northeast Ohio. While he didn’t grow up on a traditional farm, he was raised on an apiary and recalls his dad lamenting about the loss of hives, which sparked the thought, “There has to be a better way.”
Enter the drones.
“I realized this was a solution I could proudly bring to my community,” he said, noting that while the initial investment was risky, and the road to success with all its regulations and paperwork was winding, in the end it paid off. “This entrepreneurial project has allowed me to help the farming community in meaningful ways by reducing waste, improving crop yields and promoting sustainability all while being more efficient.”
Moore isn’t just helping farmers—he’s also a nurse in the intensive care unit at Mercy Lorain Regional Medical Center, excelling in critical care and training programs.
“Nursing runs deep in my family: my mother, uncle, aunts and even my grandmother are all nurses,” he said, recalling holidays filled with intense stories from the healthcare field. “What stuck with me was the profound sense of purpose they all shared. I always knew I wanted a career where I could make a meaningful difference, and there's no greater impact than helping people who are suffering or in need of care.”
Moore earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing online from Ohio University, has contributed to HIV and AIDS research at LCCC, is an active member of the Code Blue committee—where he organizes and leads emergency resuscitation trainings—at Mercy, and leads a unit practice council in the ICU focused on improving patient care practices and fostering staff collaboration.
With Lake Erie Drone, Moore has presented his agricultural drone technology at NASA and Ohio Aerospace Institute events and even participated in the Cleveland National Air Show, showcasing his technology.
While most of his career has been focused on efficiency and affordability, Moore said he always desired a traditional, in-person university experience and chose Case Western Reserve because of its reputation for nursing education and the learning environment at the Health Education Campus.
“No other program in the country could offer the same experience,” he said. “This university has a rich history of innovation. Growing up surrounded by nurses taught me the value of compassion, resilience, and dedication, and those lessons have deeply influenced my approach to nursing, my education and my career.”