We are so proud to introduce you to this year’s Influential Women of Cincinnati. These women are using their unique talents and abilities to make our region a better place. Whether it’s starting nonprofits, creating new communities, or feeding and caring for the less fortunate, these women are making a difference.
Q. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY AT CHRIST HOSPITAL?
A. I’ve spent my career at the Christ Hospital Health Network. Each position has provided greater insight into my own passions of teaching, team building and leadership. In 1987, I was a student nurse aide, and then I became a critical care nurse. As a nurse, I found a passion for working with teams of people to serve our patients.
My first leadership position was to provide mentorship and program development for new nurses. I found great fulfillment in watching the team flourish and helping others to achieve success in their own careers. Someone noticed these traits in me and became a mentor to me as I continued to take on new leadership roles. Over the next 25 years, I was a clinical nurse manager, the director of critical care, the chief nursing officer, and then the chief information officer and chief hospital officer and chief operating officer
In 2021, I assumed the role of president and CEO. It was not the original goal, but with every step in the journey, my passion for my workplace and the many people that make up the Christ Hospital team continues to grow.
Q. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM?
A. My support groups have changed over the years. My mentors have provided me with great insight into leadership styles and characteristics. I have a lifelong pursuit of learning, studying the great leaders of the world and the traits that make them so successful.
Q. HOW HAVE YOU DEALT WITH THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19?
A. This pandemic has called on every leader to use every leadership strategy we have. It has forced us to intrinsically evaluate everything we have always done. The delivery of health care has been forced to change. As leaders, we try to be very intentional to meet both the physical and emotional needs of our staff and provide the tools that are needed to succeed.
The pandemic has been an incredible challenge but like everything it will come to an end, and we will have learned new and better ways of doing things.
Q. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
A. The Christ Hospital was built in 1889 and has served the community for 133 years. We constantly learn from our challenges and our triumphs. Collaboration will be key to that success. My goal as CEO is to fulfill our mission, to improve the health of our community and create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes and the finest experiences, all in an affordable way. I strive to create an environment where professionals and administrators deliver the finest health care available so that no patient will ever have to leave this community to seek health care somewhere else. It is my privilege to lead this extraordinary team of physicians, staff and volunteers that live out our mission every day.