At Jefferson College of Nursing, we believe that strong nurse leaders inspire transformative healthcare change. This belief drives us to integrate leadership development into every aspect of our curriculum and offer a suite of online nursing leadership programs tailored for emerging and advanced leaders. Our goal is to empower these leaders to impact healthcare significantly.
In August 2024, our Jefferson Health nursing partnership expanded to include Lehigh Valley Health Network, creating an opportunity beyond merely uniting two institutions; it was about providing a unique educational experience that empowered nursing leaders from both organizations to work together in blending cultures and advancing healthcare.
Together, our esteemed health system leaders — Kate FitzPatrick, EVP/Connelly Foundation Chief Nurse Executive Officer at Jefferson Health, and Professor and Associate Dean for Nursing Academic Partnerships and Innovation at Jefferson College of Nursing; and Annmarie Chavarria, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at Lehigh Valley Health Network — nominated 36 exceptional nurse leaders to participate in two specialized cohorts, forming what we now proudly call the Nurse Leader Accelerator.
These cohorts are divided into two innovative programs: the MSN in Nursing in Transformative Systems Leadership (MSN-TSL) for emerging leaders and the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership (DNP-EL) for advanced leaders. Both programs offer online, asynchronous curriculum designed to develop exceptional leadership skills, build robust professional networks and prepare participants for strategic leadership roles in the future.
The Nurse Leader Accelerator was officially launched at our Dixon Campus in Horsham, PA, on January 10th, with an inspiring in-person meeting attended by the cohorts and faculty, including Kate FitzPatrick, Annmarie Chavarria, Dr. Kathy Gray, Program Director DNP-EL, Dr. Catie Harris, Program Director MSN-TSL and myself.
Dr. Mary Lou Manning, Professor and Senior Associate to the Dean for Strategic Initiatives, led the kick-off session, setting the tone for a transformative journey ahead and shared, “The Nurse Leader Accelerator is more than just two cohorts; it's a transformative journey. By bringing together the best of Jefferson Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network, we are cultivating a new generation of nurse leaders who are equipped to tackle the complexities of modern healthcare with innovation, compassion and excellence."
We are thrilled to expand our nursing partnerships within our healthcare system and eagerly anticipate the remarkable outcomes from these high-performing cohorts. By blending the nursing excellence of both healthcare systems, we aim to produce strong, effective nurse leaders who will elevate standards of practice, tackle healthcare’s toughest challenges, and inspire their colleagues to excel in providing the best care.
Together, we are shaping the future of nursing leadership.