Get Well hosts Chief Nursing Officer Council on the Future of Digital Health

23 Nurse Executives representing more than 20 of the largest healthcare organizations gathered to discuss enhancing patient care through technology 

BETHESDA, Md., April 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Get Well, the global leader in digital patient engagement, hosted the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Council on March 6th, where 23 nurse executives from diverse healthcare backgrounds convened to discuss the intersection of digital health and nursing.

The Council met to explore evolving trends that are reshaping digital health, with an end goal of driving impact through meaningful actions. With this mission in mind, the Council focused on three main topics: improving workflow and clinician well-being, promoting civility and a safe care environment, and amplifying care team recognition.

These primary goals reflect some of the most pressing concerns for nurses in today's healthcare landscape. According to Vivian Health's 2024 Healthcare Workforce Report, nearly half (42%) of healthcare professionals said they've considered leaving healthcare completely as a result of unsafe and grueling hospital conditions. When they were asked if their employer has implemented new processes to reduce widespread burnout, 83% of healthcare workers said they haven't. Improving clinician wellbeing is an ongoing top priority. If nurses and other healthcare professionals do not feel supported, it impacts the quality of patient care they can provide.

The council was designed by four founding CNO advisors whose backgrounds and expertise were key in guiding these crucial discussions and ideating actionable steps for change. These influential leaders include:

• Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, DNP, FAAN, Chief Nurse Emerita, Paul. M Erickson Chair in Nursing, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Maureen Lal, DNP, RN, Director, Magnet Recognition Program, American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• Sharon Pappas, RN, PhD, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive, Emory Healthcare
• Deb Zimmermann, CEO, The DAISY Foundation and President, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

Together, the council explored the pivotal role nurse executives play in driving digital transformation, identifying the necessary support structures for nurses to transition into a new era of advanced technology. Understanding that nurses are a crucial aspect of patient experience, significant attention was placed on involving direct care nurses in technology initiatives and adopting systems approaches to improve human connection and overall care.

"Our collective vision is clear," said Katherine Virkstis, Vice President of Clinical Advisory Services at Get Well. "It's to foster a collaborative environment where ideas and strategies for enhancing patient care through technology can be shared and developed, with a broader aim to help shape the future landscape of digital health in nursing."

The Council was represented by 23 nurse executives from more than 20 of the largest healthcare systems and organizations:

• Vi-Anne Antrum, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-NC, CENP, FACHE, System-wide Chief Nursing Officer, Cone Health
• Leigh Chapman, MS, RN, CIC, Chief Nursing Officer, LifeBridge Health
• Linda Cole, RN, MBA, FACHE, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
• Jay Douglas, MSM, RN, CSAC, FRE, President, National Council of State Boards of Nursing Board of Directors
• Stuart Downs, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CPHQ, FACHE, FAONL, FAAN, Vice President and System Chief Nurse Executive, Northeast Georgia Health System 
• Marilyn Dubree, MSN, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, Executive Chief Nursing Officer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, FAAN, FNAP, FAONL, Clinical Executive, Board Member, Innovator, Author, Researcher, Speaker
• Kate FitzPatrick, DNP, RN, ACNP, NEA-BC, FAAN, EVP/System Chief Nurse Executive Officer, Jefferson Health System
• Shanon Fucik, MBA, RN, CPN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, University of Missouri Health Care
• Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, DNP, FAAN, Chief Nurse Emerita, Paul. M Erickson Chair in Nursing, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Stephanie Jackson, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, FAONL, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Sentara Obici Hospital 
• Simmy King, DNP, MS, MBA, NI-BC, NE-BC, CHSE, FAAN, Chief Nursing Informatics & Education Officer, Children's National Hospital
• Melissa Kline, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, Senior Vice President, Chief Nurse Executive, Metro Health
• Maureen Lal, DNP, RN, Director, Magnet Recognition Program, American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Sandy Leake, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, The University of Tennessee Medical Center
• Cody D. Legler, DNP, APRN, NP-BC, RN-BC, NEA-BC, CNL, System Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Perioperative Service Line, MedStar Health
• David Marshall, JD, DNP, RN, CENP, NEA-BC, FAAN, FAONL, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Sarah Matney, MSOL, BSN, RN, CPON, CENP, SVP Clinical Operations, Chief Nursing Officer, Connecticut Children's
• Nancy May, DNP, RN-BC, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, University of Michigan Health 
• Michael O'Neil, MBA, JD,  BA, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Get Well
• Heather O'Sullivan, MS, RN, AGNP, President, Healthcare at Home, Massachusetts General Brigham
• Sharon Pappas, RN, PhD, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive, Emory Healthcare
• Theresa Trivette, DNP, RN, CENP, Chief Nurse Executive, Valley Health
• Katherine Virkstis, ND, BS, Vice President, Clinical Advisory Services, Get Well
• Deb Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer, The DAISY Foundation

The CNO Council and Get Well believe that addressing pressing issues in healthcare with professionals closest to patients will help improve overall patient outcomes. Looking ahead, continuing to host these discussions and implement their learnings in prominent healthcare organizations is a key priority for the CNO Council and Get Well.

To learn more, visit getwellnetwork.com.

About Get Well
Get Well empowers the communities you serve to take control of their healthcare journey. With the Get Well 360 Platform, healthcare organizations can now deliver consumer-centered experiences that build lifelong loyalty while deepening patient relationships, improving clinical quality, and growing market share. Each year, we empower organizations to activate, engage, and retain millions of patients. Learn more at getwellnetwork.com or follow Get Well on  LinkedIn and Twitter.

CONTACT: [email protected] 

SOURCE GetWellNetwork Inc.