Cleveland Clinic Welcomes New Nurse Leaders in Florida

The Stanley Shalom Zielony Institute for Nursing Excellence is growing its team of executive nurse leaders in Florida, announcing a new Florida region nursing leadership structure.

The new structure includes naming an Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) for Cleveland Clinic’s Weston, Florida hospital, a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for the Cleveland Clinic Florida region and CNOs for Cleveland Clinic’s most recent Florida acquisitions, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.

“The change in structure of our nursing leadership team in Florida is a momentous and exciting strategic move for Cleveland Clinic Nursing and our health system,” says Executive Chief Nursing Officer K. Kelly Hancock, DNP, RN, NE-BC. “As we continue to grow and expand our presence in Florida our new leadership structure will further enhance the delivery of exceptional, high-quality care to Cleveland Clinic Florida communities and patients.”

Experienced leaders to ensure exceptional patient care

Florida’s nurse executives will focus on advancing imperative nursing priorities such as patient safety, nursing practice, research and innovation, and comprehensive care delivery.

Joining Cleveland Clinic from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Erin Turner, DNP, RN, has stepped into the newly created position of ACNO for Cleveland Clinic Florida – Weston. Weston is ranked the number one hospital in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area and a top hospital in Florida, according to U.S. News and World Report. In her role, Turner is providing oversight of the hospital, clinic and satellite offices.

Previously, Turner served as Nursing Director for several Johns Hopkins inpatient units, including medical-surgical, telemetry and clinical decision units, as well as the staffing pool. Her tenured career history includes many years in clinical research and nursing management. She was also an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University for nearly 5 years, teaching Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program courses. Turner holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration degree from Johns Hopkins University, as well as a BSN from the University of Delaware.

Additionally, Kerry Major, MSN, RN, NE-BC, has taken the helm as CNO of the Cleveland Clinic Florida region. Major already serves as CNO for Cleveland Clinic Florida – Weston, a position she continues to uphold.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Major began her professional career in nursing while living in Hong Kong in 1991. After 2 years, she accepted a position at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach where she held several leadership roles, including charge nurse, assistant nurse manager and clinical director.

For the past 12 years, she has served in crucial nursing leadership positions at Weston. Some of her notable achievements include successful implementation of a bed management and patient throughput program – including the opening of an observation unit, attaining 98 percent productivity for inpatient nursing services, and the development of a nurse staff resource pool. She has demonstrated performance in strategic and organizational management as well as human resource and financial management, working to devise methods and practices that advance the nursing profession.

CNOs have also been named for Cleveland Clinic’s newest Florida acquisitions. Linda Walton, MSN, RN, CENP, is the CNO at Cleveland Clinic Indian River and Susan Clark, AVP, is the CNO for Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.

Walton received her BSN from Florida State University as well as her MSN from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently enrolled in the DNP program at the University of Central Florida.

Clark joined Cleveland Clinic Martin Health in 1999. During her 20-year tenure with the organization she’s held positions such as a staff nurse, clinical nurse leader and director of inpatient and pulmonary services. Most recently, she served as Martin Health’s Interim CNO and Site Administrator for Tradition Hospital.

Clark holds a BSN from Florida State University, MSN from Florida Atlantic University and an Executive Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Central Florida, where she continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Nursing graduate program.

A patient-focused future

Collectively, Cleveland Clinic Florida’s highly skilled team of executive leaders provides oversight for Cleveland Clinic’s Weston location and its facilities, including Coral Springs Family Health Center, Palm Beach Gardens, Parkland, West Palm Beach, and Wellington as well as the Clinic’s newest acquisitions Indian River and Martin Health.