Katie Penson is a transformational healthcare executive with more than 17 years of progressive leadership in nationally recognized pediatric health systems. As Vice President of Clinic and Hospital Operations and Chief Nursing Executive at Gillette Children’s Hospital, she leads enterprise-level operational strategy, nursing practice, and quality improvement initiatives across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Previously, Katie served as Vice President of Critical Care Services at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where she oversaw multi-million-dollar service lines, drove a 40% reduction in turnover, and implemented quality programs, achieving a 50% drop in central line infections. Prior to her time in Phoenix, Katie began and developed her clinical practice and leadership skills at Children’s Minnesota. She began her nursing career in inpatient hematology and oncology and grew into her leadership role over critical care and emergency service operations, negotiated complex labor agreements, and launched system-wide innovations in patient care and staffing.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a board-certified Nurse Executive, Katie is recognized for aligning clinical and business priorities to deliver operational excellence, foster high-performing teams, and advance patient-centered care in complex, multi-site healthcare environments.