Meet Ann Fitzgerald
Ann Fitzgerald has marked her 45 years in health care with passion for excellence, innovation and collaboration. Equally effective in one-on-one coaching situations, small group work, and presentations to large multi-disciplinary audiences, Ann consistently brings exceptional warmth, humor, and high energy to her work. Committed to great patient care and great work experiences for the entire healthcare team, she engages and mobilizes individuals and teams to develop the blend of competence, confidence, courage and compassion key to effectiveness in today’s demanding healthcare environment.
For the last ten years, Ann served Humility of Mary Health Partners in Youngstown, OH (a 3-hospital system member of Catholic Healthcare Partners) most recently as Regional Director, Organization Development and Learning. Formerly, she was VP, Strategic Planning and Marketing at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima OH, VP of Marketing for Berkshire Health System in Reading, PA and Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, PA.
Having earned the credential of Registered Corporate Coach through WABC, Ann formed her own consulting service-- Caregivers Coach-- and became a Senior Associate of Leebov Golde Group in 2010.
Steeped in health care, Ann Fitzgerald worked as a Nurse and Nurse Specialist for more than 15 years in medical, surgical, obstetrics, ICU-CCU, and Oncology departments within teaching hospitals , large and small community hospitals, and medical practice settings. She also worked for a statewide hospital association on professional issues as they impact hospitals, and was an editor in a medical malpractice insurance company.
Education:
Ann Fitzgerald received a PhD in Education from Kennedy Western University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from the College of St. Francis, a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities from Penn State University and a Diploma in Nursing from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Innovation and collaboration:
- Recipient, CHA Gold Spirit Award for Innovation- 1991 and 1992
- Recipient, HMHP President’s Star Award – 2001
- Recipient, Three CHP Best Practice Awards for Innovation – 2002
- Led a successful five year quest of two competing hospitals to gain state approval for the 1st and only dual site open heart program in the state of Ohio.
- Under federal grant by FMCS, led a large labor-management team to successfully redesign patient care.
- Under RWJ grant, led a three year experiment in work-based learning, which advanced the skills and jobs of 80 frontline employees and established the first acute care apprenticeships in Ohio.
- Was among trainers who worked with the clinical staff of a Philadelphia based hospital that experienced strong gains in patient experience ratings.
Leadership and oral/written work by Ann Fitzgerald:- Recipient – Dauphin County Nurse of Hope – American Cancer Society
- Past President, Pennsylvania Hospice Network; Past President, Hospice of Central Pennsylvania
- Past President, Ohio Society of Health Care Planning and Marketing
- Woman of Achievement Award - Appleseed Ridge Girl Scout Council -1993
- Presented at 2010 ASHHRA conference
- Spoke at 1st Annual Meeting of the Emotional Intelligence Society in 2010
- Presented at 2011 NEAQUA annual meeting and May 2011 ICSI-IHI Colloquium on Emotional Intelligence and Language of Caring as Essential Prerequisites to GREAT Patient Experiences
- Check out "Holding the Night Shift Accountable," Ann's 2-part article published in H&HN Online January 2011:
Part 1
Part 2
Testimonials:
“Ann Fitzgerald is devoted to inspiring associates at all levels to the role of values-based leadership, and she creates ways to enrich understanding and build skills along the way.”
Marianne Potina, Vice President, Mission Integration
Mercy Health Partners –Lourdes
“Through Ann’s efforts, our leadership team has grown. Her work in planning and coordinating our Leadership Development Institutes has been especially strong.”
Robert Shroder, President and CEO
Humility of Mary Health Partners
“Ann Fitzgerald has been truly an inspiration to many. As a public speaker, she's superb, and she always offers practical solutions in the programs she presents.”
Christine Begalla RN, BSN, Senior Nurse Recruiter
Humility of Mary Health Partners
“Ann is a coach and facilitator at heart, and has found no group too small or large to facilitate. She devoted countless hours to one-on-one coaching and to helping many managers improve their effectiveness as leaders.”
Molly Seals, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Learning
CHP Eastern Division and HMHP
“I love Ann’s brain and her heart…and how she has enriched all of us at HMHP. We are a better organization because of Ann.”
Susan Marks, RN, Manager, Guest Services, Patient Advocate
St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center
“Ann Fitzgerald played a key role in helping to develop our leadership team. With her assistance, our leadership team continued to grow and expand their abilities which in turn made us a stronger organization. Her coaching techniques and her ability to connect with people have helped them to be successful in their leadership roles.”
Bill Young, Former CEO
St Joseph Health Center
Current COO
Southpoint Hospital
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