Christopher A. Schweighardt
Cincinnati,USA
Summary
I am an enthusiastic, innovated, and positive leader who uses excellent people skills to build internal and external relationships, to drive change and to promote the mission and vision. I have over 30 years of healthcare experience with increasing responsibilities and opportunities at the Medical Center and VISN levels. These opportunities have prepared me to lead through crisis management, care in a pandemic state, and budgetary deficits through teambuilding, communication and a keen focus on outcomes and results. Multi-talented business leader bringing several years of experience as successful professional. Strategic problem solver and change manager. Visionary executive implements plans that meet current and future needs. Key expertise in industry.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Executive/ Associate Director of Patient Care Services
Veterans Administration
Cincinnati, Ohio
10.2021 - Current
- Nurse Executive for a 1-B dual campus facility with over 2400 employees and runs a $553M dollar budget.
- Responsible for Nursing, Chaplain Services, Sterile Processing and Social Work Services.
- Accepted into the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SESCDP)- 2025
- Detailed Assignment - Senior Advisor to the Asst. Undersecretary for VA DEAN office (January 2025- May 2025)
- Created Mental Health Career Exchange Website
- Designed and developed Hub-N-Spoke Model for Nurse Residency Programs
- Graduate of Senior Executive Assessment Program (SEAP)
- Active member for the Cincinnati’s Health Collaborative
- Developed and Implemented MDS Leads Rotation Schedule for VISN GEC/ Rehab ICC
- Nurse Executive to GEC/ Rehab ICC/ MDS Rotation
- Nurse Executive representative for VISN CRH
- Decreased RN Vacancy from 25 % to 1.6 %
- Received Commendation Award for ADPCS representative for ELC
- ONS Nursing Excellence Committee Voting Member
- Implemented Deputy ADPCS and advise VISN ADPCS on role of ADPCS and implementation process
- Developed and implemented VISN Nurse Recruiter CoP.
- National COS/ ADPCS Conference Planning Committee
- Mentor for LDI and new ADPCS’s
Nurse Executive/ Associate Director of Patient Care
Veterans Administration
Chillicothe, Ohio
01.2019 - 10.2021
- Nurse Executive for a 350-bed facility. Services included Acute care, Mental health, Community living centers (long-term care), outpatient clinics.
- Balanced budgeted FTEs
- Redesign Resource Management Committee to achieve budgetary guidelines
- Created and established relationships with Market leaders
- Acting as Medical Center Director during extended times of leave
- Nurse Executive representative for GEC/ Rehab ICC
- Nurse Executive representative for VISN’s ELC
- Voting member for ONS Nursing Excellence Committee
- Initiated plans for long-term care for mental health Veterans/ Closure of Acute Care Services
- Voting member for Clinical Resource Hub development and implementation
- Developed and implemented plan for closure of acute care services
- Established professional relationships with Colleges/ Schools for Nursing
Chief Nurse, Acute Care Services
Veterans Administration
Tampa, Florida
06.2016 - 12.2018
- Responsible for acute care services for a 550 bed, 1-A facility with a $1Billion budget.
- Responsible for 450 FTEs.
- First Nursing Service in Facility to implement Huddle Boards and process.
- Achieved AES surveys scores higher than VISN and VHA scores.
- Achieved Veterans’ Experience score in high 90th percentile.
- Actively involved with design and build of new bed tower with Army Corp. of Engineers.
- Led implementation of huddles and huddle boards.
- Nurse Leader for project with results published in national journal.
- Acting Nurse Executive- October 2017- January 2018.
- Nurse Executive for Tampa VA System/ 1700 FTEs.
- Responsible for 1-A medical facility and community clinics, social services, community living center, mental health, and chaplain services.
- Implemented Nursing Leadership monthly town halls.
- Detailed Assignment- August 2017-September 2017.
- West Palm Beach VA.
- Acting Chief Nurse, Acute Care Services.
Nurse Executive/Chief Operating Officer
Catholic Health Initiatives
Saint Joseph London, Kentucky
09.2013 - 09.2014
- Responsible for nursing operations, laboratory services, pharmacy department, and infection prevention for a 140 bed acute care facility with approximately 850 employees.
- Designed and implemented telehealth services for mental health.
Nurse Executive/ Chief Operating Officer
Catholic Health Initiatives
St. Joseph Berea, Kentucky
04.2011 - 09.2013
- Responsible for all clinical operations for a rural, 25-bed critical-access hospital including hospital-based physician practices.
- Responsible for approximately 225 employees.
- Directly reported to President of facility.
- Acting President for Saint Joseph Berea (3/2013-9/2013).
Director of Nursing
Our Lady of Peace
Louisville, Kentucky
12.2010 - 04.2011
- Director of Nursing for 250 bed psychiatric inpatient facility.
- Responsible for nursing departments, behavior analysts, staff development/ education and infection control.
- Responsible for 12 direct reports and approximately 300 employees.
Program Director
Saint Joseph Hospital
Lexington, Kentucky
09.2008 - 12.2010
- Company Overview: National Healing Corp
- Program Director, contracted, for an outpatient wound care program within a healthcare system.
- Responsibilities includes program development and growth, meeting financial goals, meeting established volume, maintaining contract obligations.
- National Healing Corp
Contract Nurse
Bluegrass Health Staffing
Saint Joseph Hospital/ Saint Joseph East, Kentucky
11.2007 - 09.2008
- Contract nurse for local hospitals’ critical care units and emergency departments, radiology department.
Interim Chief Nursing Officer/ Chief Operating Officer
Psychiatric Solutions
Cypress Creek Hospital, Texas
09.2007 - 11.2007
- Responsible for clinical operations and nursing services for a 96 bed psychiatric facility.
- Responsible for admission process, operational budget, supply chain, patient satisfaction scores.
Chief Nursing Officer
Universal Health Services
The Ridge Behavioral Health System, Kentucky
01.2005 - 07.2007
- Responsible for Nursing services for a 110-bed psychiatric facility.
- Responsible for approximately 200 FTE’s.
- Responsible for pharmacy, nutritional services, staff development, waive testing and patient satisfaction survey.
- Acted as Risk Manager from 10/2005- 4/2006.
Contract nurse
Medical Staffing Network
08.2004 - 01.2005
- Contract nurse for local hospitals in emergency and critical care departments.
Director of Clinical Services
Select Specialty Hospital
Lexington, Kentucky
02.2003 - 08.2004
- Responsible for clinical services for a long-term acute facility.
- Responsible for nursing services, rehabilitation services, and staff development.
- Responsible for approximately 115 FTE’s.
Contract nurse
Medical Staffing Network
11.2002 - 02.2003
- Contract nurse for local hospitals in emergency and critical care departments.
Director of Emergency and Outpatient Services
Clark Regional Medical Center
Winchester, Kentucky
11.1996 - 11.2002
- Responsible for a Level III emergency department with 26,000+ annual visits, hospital-based outpatient services and community clinics.
- Responsible for respiratory therapy department, pulmonary and cardiac rehab services.
I.C.U. Bed Coordinator
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
05.1994 - 11.1996
- Responsible for patient flow in critical care units within a Level I trauma facility.
- Developed admission protocols and discharge criteria for critical units.
- Responsible for utilization reports for Executive Leaders.
Surgical I.C.U. Staff Nurse
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
05.1992 - 05.1994
- Staff nurse for surgical I.C.U. within a Level I Trauma Center.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KentuckyMasters of Science - Administration
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KentuckySkills
- Budget management
- Quality assurance
- Telehealth services
- Nursing recruitment
- Risk management
- Health systems administration
Affiliations
- American College of Healthcare Executives
- America Organization of Nurse Executives
Certification
- BLS/CPR
- Sixth Sigma/ Lean Yellow Belt
- Total Quality Management
- Leadership Culture Change Champion
Presentations
- Leadership Trends in Nursing, Cincinnati Health Collaborative, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2023
- Methods for Achieving High Productivity, Catholic Health Initiatives Leadership Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona, 2012
- Today’s Nurse Leaders, Eastern Kentucky University College of Nursing, Richmond, Kentucky, 2011
- The Evolving Roles for Nurses, Eastern Kentucky University College of Nursing, Richmond, Kentucky, 2010
- Marketing Tools for Clinicians, Saint Joseph Health System Outpatient Services, Lexington, Kentucky, 2009
Timeline
Nurse Executive/ Associate Director of Patient Care Services
Veterans Administration
10.2021 - Current
Nurse Executive/ Associate Director of Patient Care
Veterans Administration
01.2019 - 10.2021
Chief Nurse, Acute Care Services
Veterans Administration
06.2016 - 12.2018
Nurse Executive/Chief Operating Officer
Catholic Health Initiatives
09.2013 - 09.2014
Nurse Executive/ Chief Operating Officer
Catholic Health Initiatives
04.2011 - 09.2013
Director of Nursing
Our Lady of Peace
12.2010 - 04.2011
Program Director
Saint Joseph Hospital
09.2008 - 12.2010
Contract Nurse
Bluegrass Health Staffing
11.2007 - 09.2008
Interim Chief Nursing Officer/ Chief Operating Officer
Psychiatric Solutions
09.2007 - 11.2007
Chief Nursing Officer
Universal Health Services
01.2005 - 07.2007
Contract nurse
Medical Staffing Network
08.2004 - 01.2005
Director of Clinical Services
Select Specialty Hospital
02.2003 - 08.2004
Contract nurse
Medical Staffing Network
11.2002 - 02.2003
Director of Emergency and Outpatient Services
Clark Regional Medical Center
11.1996 - 11.2002
I.C.U. Bed Coordinator
University of Kentucky
05.1994 - 11.1996
Surgical I.C.U. Staff Nurse
University of Kentucky
05.1992 - 05.1994
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Kentucky
Masters of Science - Administration
Eastern Kentucky University
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