Wishard Health Services Announces New Chief Nursing Officer
February 20, 2007
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis, February 20, 2007 – Wishard Health Services announces that Lee Ann Blue, MSN, RN, has been appointed to the position of chief nursing officer.
Blue comes to Wishard from Deaconess Health System in Evansville, Indiana, where she was the chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services for the health system that serves the residents of southern Indiana, southeastern Illinois and western Kentucky.
“We've looked long and hard for the exact right person to fill this critically important position on our team, and we've found that person in Lee Ann Blue,” said Dr. Lisa Harris, chief executive officer and medical director at Wishard Health Services. “Lee Ann comes with a wealth of expertise and experience, enormous enthusiasm and a passion for nursing. Her warm personality and love for people will help her fit right in here at Wishard.”
Blue’s responsibilities at Wishard will include creating and implementing the goals of the clinical services areas and working directly with the nursing and physician leadership to achieve those goals.
While at Deaconess, Blue was responsible for the nursing and patient care services at the flagship hospital and the new 116-bed community hospital. In addition, she had clinical service line responsibility for cardiovascular care, neuroclinical and oncology services.
Blue received her bachelor of science in nursing from McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois and her master of science in nursing degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. In addition to her duties at Wishard Health Services, Blue plans to continue teaching nursing and remains on the University of Southern Indiana Nursing School adjunct faculty.
“I am so very excited to work with the leadership, staff and physicians at Wishard,” Blue said. “Their commitment to the mission of Wishard Health Services is impressive and I look forward to
working here and being part of creating a strong future for those who need our services.”
Prior to her tenure at Deaconess, Blue served as vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer for Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. She started as a staff nurse working in the cardiac intensive care unit and progressed to a senior executive at the 1,000-bed academic medical center. While there, she led the efforts for Barnes Jewish Hospital to become the first adult Magnet Hospital in the state of Missouri.
In addition to working in nursing and healthcare administration, Blue has served as an adjunct faculty member at several schools of nursing including the University of Southern Indiana, University of Missouri-St. Louis and the Barnes Jewish Hospital College of Nursing and Allied Health. Blue has also served on numerous local and statewide committees aimed at increasing the healthcare workforce pool for the future and improving the health of the community.