Chief Nursing Officer

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive (CNE) for University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital (SMH), the Chief Nursing Officer of Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) provides operational leadership, fosters a culture of excellence and maintains the efficiency and overall performance of GCH nursing departments. Working with the CNE and other GCH hospital leaders, the CNO drives nursing operational efficiency, and strategic growth across pediatric inpatient and ambulatory settings and assures policies and procedures are evidence based and in compliance with all accepted standards. This leader is responsible for building nursing excellence for GCH to position URMC to deliver leading edge academic medical care in our community and build teams who can successfully deliver on goals related to financial sustainability and growth. 

The CNO, in collaboration with the Pediatrician in Chief and the Chief Clinical Officer of GCH, ensures the integration of various disciplines to align with the hospital system’s strategy to deliver comprehensive and compassionate patient care to pediatric patients. Collaborates with other Senior Leaders within GCH to address the health care needs of children within our community and region. 

Key Responsibilities 

In alignment with the University of Rochester Medical Center’s strategic plan, the Chief Nursing Officer at Golisano Children’s Hospital serves as a critical leader in advancing the hospital’s mission, vision, and organizational goals. 

Strategic & Operational Leadership 

• Collaborates on the development and execution of strategic plans for GCH that reflect community needs and align with the broader Medical Center priorities. 

• Provides operational oversight to the nursing leadership team, ensuring excellence in clinical care, operational performance, and financial stewardship. 

Nursing Leadership & Talent Development 

• Leads and supports a multidisciplinary approach to planning, innovation, problem-solving, and decision-making. 

• Mentors and develops the Director of Pediatric Nursing and Assistant Directors, fostering high-performing, collaborative, and values-driven leadership. 

• Recruits, develops, and retains top nursing talent at all levels, promoting a culture of professional growth, accountability, and excellence. 

• Champions diversity, equity, and inclusion across all aspects of employment and operations. 

Change Management & Quality Improvement 

• Drives continuous improvement by applying effective change management strategies and performance improvement tools. 

• Ensures compliance with accreditation standards, patient safety goals, and regulatory requirements. 

Innovation & Technology Integration 

• Stays current with advancements in pediatric healthcare, telemedicine, and digital health. 

• Partners to implement innovative technologies and care delivery models that enhance clinical outcomes and patient experience across GCH and affiliated regional hospitals. 

• Collaboration & Community Engagement 

• Builds strong relationships with internal teams and external partners to support integrated, high-quality care delivery. 

• Represents GCH and the SMH CNO in professional associations and community initiatives, strengthening the hospital’s presence and partnerships at local and state levels. 

Financial & Resource Management 

• Partners with hospital leadership and the Nursing Finance Director to develop and manage capital and operating budgets. 

• Contributes to long-term strategic and financial planning, ensuring optimal resource allocation to support nursing excellence. 

• Monitors performance against operational plans and implements timely corrective actions as needed.