Jennifer Riley, MSN, RN, has been named Vice President-Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. She previously held the same position at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in North Carolina. While there she:
• Developed and implemented unit-based councils
• Incorporated licensed practical nurses/paramedics
• Implemented flexible nursing model
• Initiation and recruitment of International Nurse Program
• Facilitated nursing process, quality/process improvement, PT/OT/ST, and education.
• Facilitate collaboration with local Federally Qualified Health Center/Quality Council.
• Collaboration with local community college/served on Advisory Board
• Developed/Facilitated capacity management/escalation plan.
After graduating from Laurel Highlands High School. Riley began her career at Uniontown Hospital, which is also now part of WVU Medicine. She started as a nursing assistant and then LPN before earning an associate degree in nursing at the Community College of Allegheny County. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Aspen University in Colorado, where she also completed her master’s degree in Nursing Administration and Management.
Douglass Harrison, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and Reynolds Memorial Hospital, said, “Jennifer comes to us with over 20 years of progressive leadership in nursing, promising excellence I the delivery of patient-centered care, streamlining operations and achieving quality-focused clinical outcomes. She has had repeated success in developing and leading high-performing teams and promoting nursing career ladder opportunities.
“Having worked her way up the ‘ranks’ in nursing, she understands the needs of our bedside nurses and will work diligently to promote an open management style.”
Riley said she is excited to be “home.”
“I was drawn to WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital because of the reputation of WVUHS and the ability to be closer to my family,” she said. “I am dedicated to making WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital the best place not only to receive care, but also to practice nursing.”
Her initial focus is on nurse recruitment and retention, but she also wants to enhance shared decision-making and ownership.
“I look forward to partnering with the nurses, and all of the healthcare team, at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital,” Riley said.