ITHACA — Cayuga Health announced it has appointed Debra Morton as its chief nursing officer, effective Sept. 30, after a national search. In this role, Morton is responsible for the strategic leadership and vision for nursing and patient services as well as ensuring high-quality, patient-centered care in both inpatient and outpatient settings, the health system […]
ITHACA — Cayuga Health announced it has appointed Debra Morton as its chief nursing officer, effective Sept. 30, after a national search. In this role, Morton is responsible for the strategic leadership and vision for nursing and patient services as well as ensuring high-quality, patient-centered care in both inpatient and outpatient settings, the health system said. Morton joins Cayuga Health with more than 30 years of acute-care experience in hospital operations, strategic planning, operational and financial improvement, staff empowerment, labor relations, and quality management. She previously served as VP of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Lifebridge Health Siani Hospital, a 483-bed teaching hospital and level-two trauma center in Baltimore, Maryland. Morton also held leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health in California. “I am pleased to join Cayuga Health to shape the future of nursing practice,” Morton said in a Cayuga Health news release. “I was impressed by Cayuga Health nurses’ dedication to providing excellent care in a community setting and am confident that together, we will achieve new levels of nursing innovation and achievement typically only realized in larger more urban settings. I am excited to collaborate with other members of the executive team and health-care providers to optimize patient-care delivery, improve interdisciplinary communication, and enhance patient satisfaction.” Morton trained at Geisinger School of Nursing in Danville, Pennsylvania; Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and earned a doctorate of nursing practice from the University of San Francisco. “Debra’s proven expertise in patient experiences will bring a next-level focus on efforts already underway at Cayuga Health,” President/CEO Dr. Martin Stallone said in the release. “As our organization evolves into an integrated delivery network, the complexity of operations has also advanced. Debra’s experience in clinical operations will be invaluable to the Cayuga Health team as we continue to navigate the challenging healthcare landscape. Her strategic vision and inspirational leadership style will provide direction and support to our nurses and patient-care staff during a critical time of change.”