The University of Vermont Medical Center announced July 16 that it has appointed Mary "Kate" FitzPatrick, D.N.P., R.N.., N.E.A.-B.C., F.A.A.N., to the executive leadership position of chief nursing officer, effective September 21, 2015. FitzPatrick will also play an integral role with the UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The appointment was made following a comprehensive six-month national search.
The role will report to Eileen Whalen, M.H.A., R.N., president and chief operating officer, UVM Medical Center. Whalen will continue to hold the title of interim chief nursing officer until FitzPatrick’s arrival.
“We are pleased that we have recruited a leader whose background, skills and experience aligns with the strategic priorities for UVM Medical Center nursing and patient care,” said Whalen. “Additionally, Kate’s strong academic background will serve us well as Dean Prelock and I, with Kate, strengthen the relationship between the college and the medical center. Kate will be a key person to advance the integration of service and academia in the future.”
FitzPatrick has had long tenure at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) where she most recently served on the senior leadership team as the clinical director for the Neurosciences and Women's Health & Neonatal Nursing Divisions and was the interim director of the Department of Advanced Practice. Her leadership portfolio includes hospital administration, quality and patient safety, interprofessional clinical leadership, and trauma care. She has expertise in shared governance design and has led innovative approaches to professional nurse peer review. Prior to joining HUP, FitzPatrick was the state trauma system coordinator for the Delaware Public Health Division leading the statewide trauma system and passage of trauma system legislation. In 2014, she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. A past president of the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN), she served on the board of directors and was on the editorial board for the Journal of Trauma Nursing. She currently serves on the Board of the American Trauma Society and has been a strong advocate for nursing practice and professional development and an innovator in creating inter-professional clinical partnerships to advance patient care.
FitzPatrick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in nursing from Widener University in Chester, Pa. In 2004, she completed the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Pennsylvania and subsequently earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Vanderbilt University. FitzPatrick completed the Healthcare Executive Program at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She serves as clinical associate faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and adjunct faculty at Vanderbilt University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
“UVM Medical Center’s clear focus on quality and patient safety, along with the organization’s demonstrated commitment to professional nurse practice and outcomes was a big part of my decision to accept the post,” said FitzPatrick. “I am very excited about the partnership opportunities that my role with the UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences will provide to build and strengthen inter-professional education.”