Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Chief Nursing Officers of 2024. Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) are pivotal leaders within hospitals, medical systems, and healthcare organizations across the country. As executives, they oversee every aspect of nursing operations, requiring a diverse skill set to navigate their multifaceted responsibilities. Whether managing staff schedules, overseeing department budgets, training teams on new technologies, or directly engaging in patient care, these leaders play an essential role in ensuring the highest standards of healthcare delivery.
Among this year’s esteemed Chief Nursing Officers committed to healthcare leadership is Marilyn Mariani, Chief Nursing Officer of Lakeview Hospital. Mariani has served as CNO for 15 years, and under her leadership, Lakeview has been recognized as a Top 100 Hospital for a decade and has earned a Leapfrog A rating for 11 consecutive years.
We also recognize Shana McClone, a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience. As Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Ascension, McClone is dedicated to guiding and developing talent within one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the US.
Finally, we honor Shannon Odell, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, a nationally recognized nonprofit pediatric specialty hospital. Among Odell’s career accomplishments is the creation of the Nurse Scholars Program, a scholarship initiative developed in collaboration with Miami Dade College to support students pursuing a nursing degree.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Chief Nursing Officers of 2024.
1. Jennifer Croland
Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center
Jennifer Croland is the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.
Croland is an experienced executive with system-level expertise and a strong track record in the hospital and healthcare industry. Her notable successes include reducing nurse turnover post-COVID, leading her hospital to win the coveted Magnet Prize in 2019, and achieving the 5th Magnet re-designation. Over five years, Croland successfully eliminated over $84 million in operating and clinical costs. She also increased the average daily census and grew market share across multiple service lines. Additionally, she achieved significant reductions in falls with injury, CAUTI, CLABSI, and HAPIs.
Croland graduated from American Sentinel College with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership, from Illinois State University with a Master of Nursing with a focus on Nursing Administration, and from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing with an undergraduate degree in nursing.
4. Marilyn Mariani
Chief Nursing Officer, Lakeview Hospital
Marilyn Mariani is the Chief Nursing Officer of Lakeview Hospital, a 128-bed community hospital located in Bountiful, UT, and dedicated to providing the quality of healthcare they want their closest loved ones to receive.
Mariani is enthusiastic, caring, and passionate about ensuring the best quality healthcare while fostering the development of her colleagues. She loves working at Lakeview, a community hospital that provides state-of-the-art care with a unique culture where everyone feels like a big family and genuinely cares about one another. Under her leadership, Lakeview has been recognized as a Top 100 Hospital for 10 years and has earned a Leapfrog A rating for 11 years.
Mariani has served as the CNO at Lakeview for 15 years and has been with HCA for 30 years. She appreciates working for HCA, an organization that truly supports and cares for its employees like family. Mariani earned a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix.
6. Toni Bishop-McWain
Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, Saratoga Hospital
Toni Bishop-McWain is the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Saratoga Hospital, the region’s leading healthcare provider and the only acute-care facility in Saratoga County. The hospital’s multispecialty practice, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, provides care at more than 20 locations, ensuring easy access to programs and services that can have the greatest impact on individual and community health.
Bishop-McWain started her career in 1991 as a registered nurse at The George Washington University Hospital. From there, she went on to Glens Falls Hospital, before eventually rising to vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center, her most recent position before joining Saratoga Hospital. Bishop-McWain holds Nurse Executive Advanced Certification from the ANCC, certification in Critical-Care Nursing from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse certification from the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. Bishop-McWain is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, American Nurses Association, American Organization of Nurse Leaders, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Bishop-McWain began her nursing education at Adirondack Community College and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She also has a Doctor of Nursing Practice from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing.
7. Shana McClone
Chief Nursing Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Ascension
Shana McClone is the Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Ascension. She first joined the team in 2024. Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the US, Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.
McClone is an experienced healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience. She has a strong passion for leading and developing talent, with a leadership style that is assertive, direct, and collaborative. She values cross-functional teamwork to deliver exceptional patient care. As a leader, she creates growth opportunities and provides effective coaching through guidance, feedback, and clear communication.
Previously, McClone was a chief nursing officer at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital. Before that, she was a nursing operations and special projects manager at Froedtert Hospital. Earlier in her career, she worked with Lakeview Hospital as a nurse tech. McClone earned a Master’s in Clinical Nurse Specialist from Alverno College and an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University. She has an undergraduate degree in nursing from Viterbo University.
10. Julia Bietsch
Chief Nursing Officer, CVS Health
Julia Bietsch serves as the CVS Enterprise Chief Nursing Officer, representing more than 14,000 nurses through the nurse council and various advocacy groups. CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, reaching people in communities across America through a local presence, digital channels, and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues.
As a registered nurse, Bietsch spent over 40 years collaboratively building and managing innovative population health models across Aetna, Anthem, and United Health, as well as Evolent Health and Common Spirit Health System. She has had the pleasure of leading utilization management, case/disease management, quality assurance, contract negotiations, and provider networks. She is a strong patient advocate always working to enhance patient experience, outcomes, and the ability to navigate safely through the complex healthcare system.
Bietsch received her RN Diploma from the Jewish School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Webster University, and a Master’s degree in Population Health Management from Johns Hopkins.
13. Barbara Revelette
Chief Nursing Officer, Signature Healthcare
Barbara Revelette is the Chief Nursing Officer of Signature Healthcare. She first joined the team in 2022. Signature Healthcare is a family-based healthcare company with integrated services, including skilled nursing, home health, assisted living, and in-home care.
Revelette is an experienced senior vice president and chief nursing officer with 30 years of experience in the hospital, senior housing, and healthcare industries. As an energetic, motivated, and highly organized executive, she brings a wealth of experience as a clinician, leader, change agent, and communicator. She has extensive skills in managing hospital and long-term care operations, consistently delivering high-quality, evidence-based interdisciplinary patient and resident care. Revelette has successfully led large-scale projects, improved quality and regulatory outcomes, strategically gained market share, enhanced the customer experience, and fostered a culture of accountability. Notably, she provided critical leadership and guidance to a large healthcare organization throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, Revelette was a senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Trilogy Health Services, LLC. Before that, she was a chief nursing officer and director of emergency and trauma services at KentuckyOne/University of Louisville. Earlier in her career, she worked with the National Institute of Health (NIH) as a senior director of nursing and chief project management for the NIH. Revelette has an MBA and a Master of Science in Nursing.
15. Amy Campbell
Chief Nursing Officer & VP of Patient Care Services, SSM Health
Amy Campbell is the Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services of SSM Health, a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system dedicated to advancing innovative, sustainable, and compassionate care for patients and communities throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Campbell has more than 20 years of healthcare experience as a registered nurse and hospital leader. She most recently served as vice president of patient care services at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis. During her tenure at Mercy, she restructured the leadership team to align with the ministry's needs, developed and implemented an efficient staffing model, activated a unit practice council, and served as the executive lead for several construction projects for new services. In her first six months with SSM Health, she decreased contingent labor by 71%, served as the executive leader for PSQI, restructured the leadership team, improved co-worker sustainable engagement to 74% (the highest in SSM Health), and served as the executive chair for Mid-Missouri's Pacesetter campaign for United Way of Central Missouri.
Campbell holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Central Methodist University and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management degree from Western Governors University.
View the complete list of awardees.
18. Susan Bachmeier
Chief Nursing Officer, Wilkes Medical Center
Susan Bachmeier is the Chief Nursing Officer of Wilkes Medical Center, a 130-bed, medical center in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, that offers a full range of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, pathology, ophthalmology, and behavioral health services.
Bachmeier has extensive experience in cardiology and critical care across general, vascular, and cardiothoracic surgery, as well as in post-surgical care, including general, vascular, cardiothoracic, and orthopedic procedures. Her expertise extends to inpatient rehabilitation, emergency department management, and critical care transport via ground and rotor wing. She has also overseen float pool administration, centralized telemetry services, and the Joint Commission's disease-specific application and survey process.
Previously, Bachmeier served as the chief nursing officer at Davie Medical Center. Before that, she was the director of nursing in the medical and surgical departments and the director of emergency services at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She graduated from East Carolina University with a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership and from Gardner-Webb University with an MSN in Nursing Administration. She went to Lenoir-Rhyne University for her undergraduate degree in nursing.
19. Cathy Knorzer
Market Chief Nursing Officer, LifePoint Hospitals
Cathy Knorzer is the Market Chief Nursing Officer of LifePoint Hospitals. She first joined the team in 2024. Lifepoint Health is a leading healthcare provider that serves patients, clinicians, communities, and partner organizations across the healthcare continuum.
Previously, Knorzer served as the chief nursing officer at University Hospitals, where she led nursing operations and strategic initiatives for seven years. Before that, she was the assistant vice president of nursing at Carolinas HealthCare System. Earlier in her career, she worked as the director of surgical services at Tenet Health Piedmont Medical Center, where she managed surgical operations and focused on improving communication and coaching within her team.
Knorzer has also served as a freelance healthcare consultant. She has a Master of Science in Nursing from Kent State University.
20. Rhonda Morse
Chief Nursing Officer, Mercy Rehab Hospital South
Rhonda Morse is the Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South in St. Louis, MO, on the campus of Mercy Hospital South, a 50-bed hospital with all private rooms located in South County in St. Louis, MO. Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South opened in December of 2022 as a freestanding, newly built rehab hospital.
Morse joined Mercy Hospital South 35 years ago as a senior charge nurse, then was the manager of the Acute Rehab Unit, and has served as the CNO at Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South since December 2022.
Morse graduated with her BSN at Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL, and her MSN from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL. She obtained her Nurse Executive-Board Certification in 2022 and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau nursing fraternity. Morse lives with her husband of 19 years in Freeburg, IL. She loves the beach and spending time with her family.
21. Laurie Russo
Chief Nursing Officer, Select Specialty Hospital
Laurie Russo is the Chief Nursing Officer for Select Specialty Hospitals Cleveland Fairhill. Select Specialty Hospitals is a national Critical Illness Recovery Hospital system whose employees specialize in caring for the most vulnerable patients within its communities.
Russo started her nursing career after obtaining her BSN from Kent State University in 2009 as a critical care and step-down nurse. She then transitioned to the emergency room, where she grew into her leadership career as an emergency room facilitator.
In 2021, Russo joined Select Specialty Hospital Cleveland Fairhill as the RN nurse manager. She was promoted to CNO in 2022. She currently helps to serve the critically ill patient population of the Cleveland area. She leads a highly skilled team of nurses and caregivers to help provide the highest quality of care to patients within her hospital. Russo has led Select Specialty Hospital Cleveland Fairhill in obtaining the honor of being awarded a Select Medical Hospital of Excellence. She recently completed her Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration.
27. Allison Paul
Chief Nursing Officer of Central Illinois Division, HSHS St. John's Hospital
Allison Paul is the Central Illinois Market Chief Nursing Officer at HSHS St. John's Hospital. Paul is responsible for nursing functions, best practices, and efficiencies across the Central Illinois Market, which includes HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, and HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville.
Paul joined HSHS in 2015 as the executive director of St. John’s Children’s Hospital and Women’s Services. Since that time, she has served in various leadership roles at St. John’s and with HSHS, including Central Illinois Division CNO, HSHS Illinois CNO, and interim president and CEO of St. John’s Hospital. Before joining HSHS, she served at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, where she was the director of children’s care services after starting there as a pediatric nurse in 2003. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Rush University College of Nursing.
Paul is a results-oriented nursing healthcare leader with a proven track record of motivating others to achieve quality and patient experience goals, and we are excited that she will continue to further integrate nursing operations across the central market for HSHS.
28. Kristy Duffey
Chief Nursing Officer of OptumHealth, Optum
Kristy Duffey is the Chief Nursing Officer for OptumHealth at Optum, a health services and innovation company. Duffey is responsible for driving Optum Health as the employer of choice for advanced practice clinicians by leading key workforce development strategies and initiatives. She leads interdisciplinary clinical teams delivering care in the home, as well as in community settings, such as skilled nursing facilities. Her clinical teams bridge home and clinic to coordinate care across physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, social workers, and other experts to address the full medical, behavioral, and social needs of all patients from healthy to the most complex.
Previously, Duffey served as chief executive officer of Optum Population Health Solutions and led the business transformation and external partnerships for whole-person care products and services. Before joining Optum, she served as vice president of clinical operations at XLHealth and as executive director at Evercare Health Plan, which was acquired by Optum. She is a certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and serves as a Fellow at the American Academy of Nursing.
Duffey currently serves on the boards of the United Health Foundation, Calm, and Children’s HeartLink, and she advocates for the clinician workforce through UnitedHealth Group’s Center for Clinician Advancement. Duffey received her MS from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and her BSN from the University of South Carolina.
31. Claudia Aime
VP & Chief Nursing Officer, Oregon Health & Science University
Claudia Aime is an accomplished executive nurse leader known for her dedication to advancing healthcare management and delivery. In her current role as Chief Nursing Officer for Adult Inpatient and Emergency Services at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), she is dedicated to ensuring exceptional, patient-centered care while optimizing operational performance and driving improvements in quality, safety, and financial accountability.
Aime’s leadership style is characterized by a commitment to excellence and innovation. At OHSU, she works closely with interdisciplinary teams to align nursing practices with institutional goals, enhancing patient care and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Her strategic focus on regulatory compliance, effective planning, and staff engagement helps create a high-performance environment that drives both operational success and staff satisfaction. In addition to her role at OHSU, Aime serves as the chief nurse executive for the 446th Aerospace Medicine Squadron in the United States Air Force Reserve.
Aime earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Nursing Leadership from Vanderbilt University and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and a Master’s degree in Nursing Administration from New Mexico State University. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Healthcare Executives and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
View the complete list of awardees.
32. Elisa Nguyen
Chief Nursing Officer & Vice President, Stanford Health Care
Elisa Nguyen is the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Inpatient at Stanford Health Care (SHC). SHC is a Large Academic Level I Trauma Center and the flagship hospital of Stanford University. Nguyen provides leadership and operational oversight of inpatient nursing services, which include planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, and evaluating hospital-wide nursing/patient care services, including nursing practice standards and policies, staffing, strategic planning, organizational and staff development, maintaining necessary regulatory and compliance approvals and quality accreditations. She oversees approximately 3,100 employees consisting of clinical nurses and multi-level leaders within diverse specialty service lines.
Nguyen is an experienced healthcare leader with over 25 years of outstanding and diversified experience in management, operations, strategic planning, LEAN implementation, improvement science, staff training and development, policy and procedural development, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and patient relations. Her highly established credibility ensures an efficient and cost-effective operation. Before her current role, Nguyen served as the director of nursing excellence and Magnet programs, where she envisioned, reviewed, and advocated for the department’s span of control and aligned its myriad programs with the ANCC Magnet pillars, organizational goals, and strategic priorities. This led to a successful proposal and approval of the department’s restructuring and expansion within 90 days. She was also the director of clinical services overseeing clinical units and multiple service lines, where she led robust evidence-based quality and process improvement projects.
Nguyen has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from San Jose State University. Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated by her strong affiliation with the nursing community through active membership and leadership roles in several professional nursing organizations. She currently serves as the founding president of the Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California-Stanford Health Care Subchapter. Her contributions are amplified by elevating the nursing profession through her published work and professional presentations at the local, national, and international levels.
35. Ramonita Jimenez
Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, Hackensack Meridian Health
Ramonita Jimenez is the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Hackensack Meridian Health, a leading not-for-profit healthcare organization that is the largest, most comprehensive, and truly integrated healthcare network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research, and life-enhancing care.
Jimenez has led and actively participated in several key initiatives, including the Graduate Nurse Program, recruitment and retention activities, and Magnet redesignation. She has collaborated closely with nurse leaders to ensure hospital compliance with Joint Commission standards for inpatient units. Additionally, she has partnered on several pilot projects focused on service excellence, service recovery, and the implementation of an employee point reward system. Valuing team members, she actively participates in award and recognition initiatives to show appreciation for their contributions and hard work.
She is board-certified in Nursing Administration and is a member of the New Jersey Organization of Nurse Executives (ONL-NJ), where she has served on the ONL-NJ Finance Committee since 2016. Beyond her professional commitments, she is actively involved in community service, volunteering locally, and participating in medical missions and humanitarian work in Mexico and Panama. Jimenez graduated from Rutgers University with a Doctorate in Nursing and an undergraduate degree in nursing. She attended Fairleigh Dickinson University to receive her Master’s degree in Public Administration.
37. Shannon Odell
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Nicklaus Children's Health System
Shannon Odell is the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, which is a nationally recognized nonprofit pediatric specialty hospital based in Miami, Florida. In her role, Odell is responsible for the nursing workforce, operations, and strategic vision for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet-designated, 309-bed, acute care hospital. She is focused on ensuring patients receive the highest quality of coordinated care throughout their patient journey. She leads the world-renowned, award-winning team of over 1,200 nurses and advanced practice providers and is committed to ensuring the gold standard for nursing standards upheld by Magnet.
Odell’s key career accomplishments include the creation of the Nurse Scholars Program, a scholarship initiative in collaboration with Miami Dade College, aimed at supporting students pursuing a degree in nursing. Under her leadership, all three specialized intensive care units (CICU, NICU, and PICU) achieved gold-level Beacon Awards for Excellence. The Magnet-designated hospital she leads is also recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as an Accredited Provider. Additionally, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has five specialty programs ranked among the best in the nation in the 2023-2024 US News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” survey results.
Odell received a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota, and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She holds an Inpatient Obstetric Nursing certification from the National Certification Corporation, as well as a Nurse Executive Board certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
39. Laura Thornley
Chief Nursing Officer, Swedish Medical Center
Laura Thornley is the Chief Nursing Officer of Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, part of HCA Healthcare’s Continental Division and HealthONE, the number two large health system in the United States. Swedish is a 504-bed Level I Trauma, Burn and Reconstructive and Comprehensive Stroke Center that serves more than 200,000 patients from across the Rocky Mountain Region each year.
Thornley is an experienced and sought-after healthcare leader, having served as CNO and VP of Operations prior to joining Swedish. Under her leadership, she has led efforts that resulted in the American Nurses Association’s Magnet designation, the Emergency Nurses Association’s Lantern designation (top 1% in the nation) and EMS for Children Colorado’s COPPER designation.
Thornley has been identified as a leader who builds teams, develops staff into the next generation of nurse leaders and maximizes operations. Her staff engagement rate scores improve, on average, by 5%; patient experience scores consistently achieve and maintain the top quartile; emergency department efficiencies resulted in, on average, a 19% volume increase; and arrival to greet times decreased by an average of 143%.
Prior to joining Swedish, Thornley served as the Chief Nursing Officer at Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, and Vice President of Clinical Operations at Stone Oak Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Thornley has a Master of Science in Nursing Administration degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from UT Health San Antonio.
40. Sue Malone
Chief Nursing Officer, Eastern Connecticut Health Network
Sue Malone is the Chief Nursing Officer for the Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN), a community healthcare system serving 19 towns in eastern Connecticut.
Malone has spent her career serving ECHN. Previously, she was the associate chief nursing officer, where she played a key role in leading nursing operations. Before that, she served as the director of inpatient behavioral health nursing, overseeing the adult, geriatric, adolescent, and eating disorder units. Earlier in her career, she worked as a clinical risk manager, focusing on patient safety and risk management initiatives. She started her career as a registered nurse at ECHN, gaining extensive experience over 13 years in surgical, pediatric, critical care, and nursing supervision.
Malone earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Joseph College. She has a Master’s in Nursing Education from Aspen University, where she also completed a Master of Science in Nursing.
41. Regenia Stull
Chief Nursing Officer, Liberty Hospital
Regenia Stull joined the Liberty Hospital team in January 2022 after having worked in a consulting capacity in nursing leadership and CNO roles in Missouri, Illinois, and Louisiana. Stull focuses on quality of care by leveraging the strength of her leadership team and the staff they lead. She has proven successes in stabilizing the nursing workforce, reducing nursing turnover, and improving nursing satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and overall quality of care. Stull received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University and her Master of Science in Nursing and Nursing Administration from the University of Phoenix. She obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from American Sentinel University.
43. Elizabeth Guffey
Chief Nursing Officer, Northeast Regional Medical Center
Elizabeth Guffey has a diverse range of work experience in the healthcare industry. She is currently the Chief Nursing Officer at Northeast Regional Medical Center, a 93-bed facility with a Level III Trauma Center and Certified Chest Pain Center.
Before this role, Guffey served as the chief nursing officer and director of outpatient services at Scotland County Hospital. She also held the position of director of operations at wound care specialists. Early in her career, she worked as an RN at Boone Hospital Center and as an RN-transplant nurse coordinator at BJC HealthCare. Guffey started her career at Stanford Hospital as an RN in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.
Guffey studied business administration, international studies, and Spanish at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Once she decided to go into nursing, she received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Columbia College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University. In 2020, she earned an MBA from Grand Canyon University.
View the complete list of awardees.
44. KC Clevenger
Chief Nursing Officer, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute
KC Clevenger is the Chief Nursing Officer of James P Wilmot Cancer Institute. She first joined the team in 2018. The James P. Wilmot Cancer Center is the Wilmot Cancer Institute's flagship location. This 84-bed cancer center offers patients and their families comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, and it is home to one of upstate New York's largest blood and marrow transplant programs. As the region's leader in cancer research, Wilmot Cancer Center maintains a large network of clinical trials that offer new therapies and options for patients.
In her role as CNO, Clevenger oversees Wilmot’s more than 350 nurses, including the regional operation, and helps expand the research nurse structures and the nurse-initiated research programs. She also holds a faculty appointment with the University of Rochester School of Nursing and helps develop a strong nurse scientist presence and research infrastructure for nurse-led research at Wilmot. Previously, Clevenger was a member of the faculty at the University of Colorado. Earlier in her career, she worked with Children's Hospital, Colorado, as a director.
Clevenger earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Research from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She has a Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an undergraduate degree in nursing from William Jewell College.
46. Barbara Jordan
Chief Nursing Officer, The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Barbara Jordan is the Chief Nurse Officer for the NIH Clinical Center. Previously, Jordan served as the acting CNO for two years and has also been the service chief for nursing operations in the CC Nursing Department. When she first came to the Clinical Center, she was the service chief for neuroscience, behavioral health, and pediatrics.
Jordan has many years of additional critical care leadership experience in various hospital settings. Before joining the Clinical Center, she served as the vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Northwest in Seneca PA. She has prior experience as the clinical director of infection control and regulatory compliance at UPMC St. Margaret and as clinical operations director of the ICU/CCU at Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, NC. She has participated in a successful organizational Magnet designation.
Jordan earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, PA, a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Healthcare Systems Administration from The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Jordan’s research interests are in relationship-based care and nursing leadership.
47. Noreen Bernard
Chief Nursing Officer, UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital and UCHealth Broomfield Hospital
Noreen Bernard is the Chief Nursing Officer of UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital and UCHealth Broomfield Hospital. She first joined the team in 2019. UCHealth, a health system, was formed in 2012 to increase access to innovative and advanced patient care, realize supply chain and IT efficiencies, and better serve patients throughout the Rocky Mountain region by combining academic-based and community-focused medicine.
Bernard is a passionate healthcare executive committed to inspiring purposeful work, transforming organizational culture, and developing leaders. With over 14 years of experience in professional practice, development, research, and organizational growth, she also brings over 15 years of operational leadership in acute care, ambulatory, and home health settings, including experience as an interim chief nursing officer. A seasoned leader, author, researcher, and educator, she is deeply committed to making a difference for others and helping clinicians find professional joy.
Previously, Bernard was a system vice president of professional practice at Emory Healthcare. Earlier in her career, she worked with Centura Health as a performance leader. Bernard earned an EdD in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration. She went to the University of Colorado for her undergraduate degree in nursing.
48. Shelly Loop
Chief Nursing Officer, University Hospitals
Shelly Loop is the Chief Nursing Officer of University Hospitals, a role she started in November 2023. Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals, including five joint ventures, more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio.
Before becoming the manager of nursing operations in 2019, Loop spent a decade as a clinical nurse manager, overseeing critical and medical-surgical floors, oncology, wound care, and the float pool. During this time, she reduced staff turnover and implemented professional development goals that led to more nurses obtaining advanced degrees. She also spent several years as a patient care facilitator, charge nurse, and staff nurse.
Loop earned her BSN from Indiana Wesleyan University and her MSN from Chamberlain University. A 2019 graduate of the UH Advancement Leadership Academy, Loop is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Executive Track, with the UH cohort at Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.
49. Donna Beecroft
Chief Nursing Officer, Memorial Hermann Health System
Donna Beecroft is the Chief Nursing Officer of Memorial Hermann Health System, a nonprofit, values-driven, community-owned health system dedicated to improving health. A fully integrated health system with more than 260 care delivery sites throughout the Greater Houston area, Memorial Hermann is committed to delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centered care and offers clinical expertise, innovation, and cutting-edge technology to all patients.
As CNO, Beecroft contributes to a shared mission of supporting nurses and others with evidence-based interventions at both the individual and organizational levels. Her focus is on promoting healing, growth, and the development of healthy, supportive, and strong workplace cultures through self-empowerment and self-stewardship.
With 28 years in nursing and over 20 years in healthcare leadership, Beecroft believes true success in nursing is all about connecting the purpose with passion and building strong relationships. Beecroft started her career in 2018 as a chief nursing officer at Ascension.
50. Kelly Edmondson
Vice President Nursing & Patient Care Services, Orlando Health
Kelly Edmondson serves as Orlando Health’s Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care Services, helping to lead the organization in advancing nursing strategy and optimizing patient care.
Before stepping into this role, Edmondson served as the chief nursing officer of Orlando Health P. Phillips Hospital. With more than 20 years of healthcare experience, from bedside nurse to nursing leadership proficiency, she has a reputation for enhancing innovation and emphasizing care. Before joining Orlando Health, she served as the CNO at Bon Secours Mercy Health/Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, Virginia. Under her leadership, the hospital earned significant recognition, including both a safety grade of “A” and a “Top General Hospital” designation from The Leapfrog Group in 2018. In 2017, the hospital became Magnet-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which demonstrates excellence in nursing and nursing culture.
Originally from Ohio, Edmondson began her nursing career as a staff nurse before assuming the role of clinical manager in the emergency room at a hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and a Master’s degree in Nursing and Healthcare Administration from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. She recently earned her PhD in Nursing Administration. Edmondson is an affiliated member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
View the complete list of awardees.