Kristy Carrington, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, has been named chief executive of Providence Swedish North Puget Sound, which includes Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, Swedish Edmonds and the Swedish Mill Creek emergency department. Since she became interim chief executive in August, Carrington has implemented a strategic plan for workforce recovery, renewal and reimagination to set the North Puget Sound on a course for success.
As a nurse herself, Carrington began her career caring for neurology patients, trauma patients, cardiac patients, and more.
“Kristy knows what it’s like on the frontlines and the importance of a strong team working alongside you,” said R. Guy Hudson, chief executive, Providence North Division, and president and chief executive officer of Swedish Health Services. “With the challenging health care landscape across the country, Kristy also understands and embraces the need to innovate for the future. I am confident that Kristy is the right leader with the right skills to lead the North Puget Sound, and I am thrilled that she has answered the call to serve.”
Carrington holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Delaware and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Previously, she was the chief nursing officer (CNO) for the Providence Swedish Puget Sound Region and, prior to that, was CNO of Swedish First Hill.
“I am amazed and inspired by our caregivers every day,” Carrington said. “Providence Swedish is on a path to success, ensuring that we can continue to provide excellent care to all who come through our doors for generations to come. I am humbled by this opportunity but confident in our caregivers and teams, who are some of the best in the country.”
As interim North Puget Sound chief executive, Carrington has laid a strong foundation for her plan to ensure the organization operates in a sustainable way to fulfill its mission to care for all. Her plan includes:
- retaining caregivers by building trust through transparency and open lines of communication,
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recruiting new team members by growing and diversifying the talent pipeline, and
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reimagining care delivery with innovative and sustainable staffing models across nursing units.
She also brought together the leadership, clinical and operational teams of Swedish Edmonds, Swedish Mill Creek and Providence Everett, to help the service area work as one unified entity. By eliminating silos and improving efficiency, Providence Swedish aims to provide the best care for patients in Snohomish County.
This work is already bearing fruit. The North Puget Sound hired more new nurses and nursing assistants in October than in any other month this year. The caregiver turnover rate has been decreasing over the last three months. In addition, hospital throughput has improved, and new processes are helping with patient flow.
“I know that there is a long road ahead and that many challenges remain,” Hudson said. “Providence and Swedish have long histories in Snohomish County and – thanks to the dedication of our caregivers – we have shown time and again that our organization is a destination where our communities want to receive care and where people want to work. We are fortunate that Kristy will be leading the North Puget Sound as we write the next chapter of excellent patient care, community benefit and caregiver engagement.”
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