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Denise Barbera
Nursing Executive
Apollo Beach,FL
Summary
Accomplished Chief Nursing Officer with 19+ years of progressive leadership in acute care, rehabilitation, and long-term acute care hospitals. Proven track record of driving quality improvements, reducing turnover, elevating patient outcomes, and leading complex operational transformations. Adept at strategic planning, regulatory compliance (JCAHO, HIPAA), and cultivating high-performing nursing teams across multi-site systems.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Operations/Clinical Officer
Kindred Hospital Central Tampa
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Earned Gold Status for National Quality Strategy (2023–2024), ranking Top 2 in the region, Top 6 nationally.
- Coordinated emergency response for 2 facility evacuations during hurricanes (2024).
- Led a facility consolidation, successfully absorbing 35 displaced staff members while maintaining service quality.
- Partnered with Physician Advisory Group to enhance interdisciplinary care and communication.
Chief Clinical Officer
Kindred Hospital Central Tampa
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Obtained Sepsis Certification & recertification for Acute Respiratory Failure from The Joint Commission.
- Reduced nursing turnover from 46% → 34% YTD and contract labor use by 63%.
- Implemented new charge nurse model, improving patient outcomes & staff morale.
Chief Nursing Officer
Encompass Health Sunrise Rehabilitation Hospital
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Reduced nursing turnover from 67% → 19% and CNA turnover from 27% → 7%.
- Established COVID-19 Unit during the pandemic, leading safety education for all staff.
- Maintained 4 Joint Commission certifications (Stroke, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord, Hip).
- Achieved 75% reduction in acute care transfers for cardiac patients via remote telemetry.
System Chief Nurse Executive
Brooksville & Spring Hill Regional Hospitals
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Implemented Shared Governance Model across the system.
- Promoted a culture of accountability among staff members through clear expectations, transparent reporting mechanisms, and recognition for outstanding performance.
- Spearheaded quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and reducing preventable complications.
Chief Nursing Officer
Spring Hill Medical Center
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Cut NICU admissions by 50% by implementing ACOG guidelines.
- Streamlined Meaningful Use initiatives & Senior Nurse Leader rounding.
Chief Nursing Officer & Various Director Roles
Northwest Medical Center
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Achieved 50% improvement in National Patient Safety Goals, reduced medication errors by 20%.
- Cut sitter hours by 75% through process redesign.
Education
M.A. - Organizational Development
University of Phoenix
B.S. - Nursing
Molloy College
Skills
- Executive Leadership & Operations Management
- Quality & Patient Safety Initiatives
- Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness
- Budgeting & Resource Allocation
- Staff Development & Retention Strategies
- Stakeholder Engagement & Physician Collaboration
Accomplishments
- Achieved reduction in medication errors or high medications by completing an RCA with an interdisciplinary team and implementing changed in delivery process with accuracy and efficiency.
- Achieved significant medication errors by omissions with the utilization of Pyxis Reports identifying errors per user. implemented education and training for employees.
- Collaborated with team of front line staff in the development of an Employees Activities Committee to improve staff morale..
Affiliations
ARN member
Certification
- RN, State of Florida (Active)
- CRRN
- BLS
- Certificate in Conflict Resolution
Interests
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Chief Operations/Clinical Officer
Kindred Hospital Central Tampa
01.2023 - 01.2025
Chief Clinical Officer
Kindred Hospital Central Tampa
01.2022 - 01.2023
Chief Nursing Officer
Encompass Health Sunrise Rehabilitation Hospital
01.2015 - 01.2021
System Chief Nurse Executive
Brooksville & Spring Hill Regional Hospitals
01.2012 - 01.2015
Chief Nursing Officer
Spring Hill Medical Center
01.2010 - 01.2015
Chief Nursing Officer & Various Director Roles
Northwest Medical Center
01.2006 - 01.2009
B.S. - Nursing
Molloy College
M.A. - Organizational Development
University of Phoenix
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