Kelly Venditto
BSN, RN, HN-BC, CPPS - Director Of Team Member & Clinician Wellbeing
Edison,NJ
Summary
Strategic and empathetic healthcare leader with 20 years of experience, transitioning from frontline emergency nursing to directing network-wide clinician and team member wellbeing. Proven expertise in designing, implementing, and scaling data-driven programs that mitigate burnout, enhance psychological safety, and foster a sustainable culture of resilience for over 40,000 team members. A board-certified holistic nurse and patient safety professional dedicated to linking caregiver wellbeing directly to improved patient outcomes, quality, and organizational excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
10
10
Certifications
Work History
Director of Team Member & Clinician Wellbeing
Hackensack-Meridian Health Network
01.2024 - Current
- Spearheaded the network-wide wellbeing strategy, designing and implementing programs that enhance professional fulfillment and reduce stress for 40,000 team members and clinicians.
- Developed a data-driven framework to assess and mitigate burnout, utilizing survey tools, best practice research, and direct feedback to create targeted, effective interventions.
- Managed and optimized a portfolio of critical wellbeing programs, including the 24/7 Team Member Line, WeCare, and the Clinician Experience Project, driving increased adoption and engagement.
- Forged strategic partnerships with medical leaders, HR, and department heads to embed wellbeing into the organizational culture, directly linking initiatives to improvements in patient experience, quality, and safety metrics.
- Led key advisory committees and managed vendor relationships to guide the strategic execution of wellness programs and ensure alignment with organizational needs.
- Established a continuous feedback loop by conducting regular rounds in clinical settings, marrying qualitative insights with quantitative data to inform program development and address emerging needs.
- Implemented a network-wide system for tracking and reporting on wellbeing metrics, providing leadership with actionable insights and demonstrating program ROI.
- Architected and launched a tiered emotional support model that enhances team member wellbeing by equipping leaders with tools to foster psychological safety and destigmatize mental health support across the network.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Boosted client satisfaction rates through exceptional relationship management and prompt resolution of issues.
- Evaluated employee performance objectively using established metrics, leading to fair compensation adjustments based on meritocracy principles.
- Secured key partnerships that contributed to the company''s overall growth strategy and market reach.
Quality & Performance Improvement Specialist
Hackensack-Meridian Health - Riverview Medical Center
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Lead all patient safety, quality improvement & regulatory meetings and actions during leave of absence for DPS&Q Manager
- Lead all Safety Event Review & Patient Safety Meetings for hospital ongoing
- Facilitate Network Safety Event Classification Calls ad hoc
- Lead Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade Survey Process
- Lead Root & Apparent Cause Analysis for safety events identified to all areas assigned
- Lead on-site survey processes & facilitate survey readiness rounding
- Lead all TJC, ACS & CARF Disease Specific Survey Program reviews in collaboration with program coordinators and hospital leadership teams yielding successful 7 accreditations
- Lead Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
- Present RCA2 & Safety Stories to Network Safety Council ad hoc
- Super Trainer of HRO - One Team for Safety Train the Trainer
- Facilitate implementation of corrective action plans with stakeholders
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to better processes and promote safe practice
- Facilitate collection of data and correlate trends in order to promote meaningful change for the organization
- Facilitate & participate in department, facility & network Performance Improvement initiatives
- Perform concurrent and retrospective chart reviews for core measure abstraction
- Developed and manage an employee wellness initiative for HMH network called “Holistic Nurse Rounding Team” This initiative was published by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement for its success in improving safe & quality care
- Mentor to new team members
- Interim Manager (12/2021-3/2022 & 4/2022-9/2022)
Co-Leader AHNA Coastal Chapter of NJ
American Holistic Nurse Association National Association
04.2019 - Current
- Establish chapter specific mission, vision & goals
- Lead local chapter of AHNA to facilitate information sharing from a national association
- Educate members on the Standards of Holistic Nursing Practice
- Organize local community events to promote the organization and provide wellness resources to the public
- Provide continuing education opportunities to members and the local nursing community
Manager Holistic Nurse Rounding Team Pilot
HMHN
- Holistic nurse peer support program dedicated to enhancing their peers’ wellbeing. The huddle provides real time support, creating a space and time for team members to address their emotional needs and to promote healthy stress levels and accommodate worklife balance while coaching stress reduction strategies.
- Develop program & training curriculum Recruit team members
- Collect pre & post implementation data
- Collaborate with local and network leadership
- Manage schedule and payroll for program
- Train all Holistic Nurse Rounding Team members
- Biweekly check ins with HNRT to review barriers and opportunities for improvement of process
- Present at multidisciplinary meetings to promote program and gain feedback
RN
Emergency Care Center
06.2017 - 01.2020
- Provide emergency care to a variety of patients in a designated 911 medical and psychiatric receiving center
- Trained and proficient in triage
- Care of patients experiencing trauma, cardiac, burn, stroke, pediatric & psychiatric emergencies
- Act as patient advocate for client and family in the Emergency Department
Community Health Nurse
Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association
10.2012 - 12.2017
- Case management for clients requiring multidisciplinary care within the home setting
- Develop nursing care in the home setting. Including: body system assessments, wound care, blood draws & specimen collection, medication management, ostomy care, post-operative care, CHF & DM management & safety
- Maintain safety and well-being of client by performing risk assessments of patient and home environment and implementing equipment and precautions based on findings
- Prevent re-hospitalization by identifying high risk patients and patterns in lifestyle and promoting education and use of resources available in the community to encourage wellness practices
- Chosen to collaborate in a pilot program for prevention of re-hospitalization while expediting discharges. The pilot focused on communication between primary care providers and hospitalists to bridge a gap identified in discharge planning and post hospitalization care between providers
Emergency Department Staff RN
Raritan Bay Medical Center
04.2012 - 01.2013
- Per Diem Staff RN: April 2012 – January 2013
- Full Time Staff RN: September 2004 - October 2008
Nursing Director Ambulatory Surgical Center
Atlantic Surgical Center
11.2010 - 10.2012
- Supervise nursing staff and provide education related to new policies and procedures
- Responsible for: Recruitment, retention, and training of the surgical center staff
- Ensure compliance with TJC/NJ State Regulation standards
- Ensure that legal procedures, nursing laws and work standards are met within the facility
- Responsible for maintenance of the surgical center’s budget while coordinating purchasing equipment, standard supplies, building repairs and routine maintenance
- Trained and proficient to accommodate staffing needs for all positions in the surgical center
Emergency Department Staff RN-Full Time
New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
07.2008 - 01.2011
- Selected to be 1 of 6 designated charge nurses on rotating schedule
- Provide emergency care to a variety of patients in a designated 911 Receiving Center, Level 1 Trauma Center, Regional Burn & Stroke Center and Psychiatric Emergency Receiving Center
- Trained and proficient in triage and ambulance triage, as well as care of patients having trauma, cardiac, burn, stroke, pediatric and psychiatric emergencies, Act as patient advocate for client and family
Education
MBA -
University of Arizona
09.2025
RN-BSN -
Chamberlain University
01.2023
RN-BSN -
Rutgers University
01.2020
Diploma in Nursing -
Charles E. Gregory School of Nursing
05.2001 -
Skills
Team Leadership
Strategic Planning & Execution
Cross-functional Collaboration
Decision-making
Holistic Nursing Practices & Principles
Psychological Safety, Trauma Informed Appraoch & Stress First Aid Frameworks
Resilience & Stress Reduction Strategy Coaching
Data-Driven Decision Making
Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership Buy-in
Change Management
Committee Leadership & Facilitation
Burnout Prevention & Mitigation Strategy
Certification
Registered Nurse - New Jersey
Awards
2025 American Holistic Nurse Association Practice Grant recipient
2022 HMHN Magnet/Pathway to Excellence Structural Empowerment Award
2022 Finalist NJ Biz Nurse of the Year Award
2022 American Holistic Nurse Association Charlie McGuire Education Scholarship Recipient
2021 American Holistic Nurse Association Holistic Nursing Rising Star Award
2020 HMHN Official Magnet Writer
2019 HMHN Nursing Excellence Nominee
2018 HMHN Orion Award for Nursing Excellence in Teamwork
Publications
- 2025 American Holistic Nurse Association (AHNA) Beginnings June Edition Cover Artist
- 2025 AHNA Annual Conference Workshop Presenter: Traveling Wellbeing Train: A New Approach to Team Member Wellbeing
- 2025 Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Annual Congress Workshop Presenter: Developing a framework for workforce injury reduction: Prioritizing violence prevention
- New Jersey State Nurses Association Holistic Nursing Practice Position Statement Co-Author, Adoption September 2024
- 2023 AHNA Regional Presenter April : The Radiance of Reiki: The Path to Self-Compassion
- 2023 IHI Poster Presenter: Safe Specimen Handling: Barcode Scanning Compliance
- IHI Poster Presenter 2023: Telemetry: Critical Alarm Management
- IHI Poster Presenter 2021: Wellness Initiatives for Frontline Caregivers Reduces Stress Injury and Promotes Safe & Quality Practice During Global Pandemic
Hackensack-Meridian Health COUNCILS & COMMITTEES
- Lead/Chair: Safety Event Review Committee, Patient Safety Committee, Nursing Safety & Quality Symposium, Pain, Nursing Workplace Environment Staffing Council, Integrative Wellness Council
- Safety Event Classification (HMH network)
- QI&O
- Restraints
- Medication Variance Committee
- Sepsis
- Culture Committee
- Professional Practice
- Clinicians Experience Advocacy Network (network)
- Take a Break for Safety: Break process work group
- Workplace Environment Council (network)
- Pain & Palliative Champion Meeting (network)
Timeline
Director of Team Member & Clinician Wellbeing
Hackensack-Meridian Health Network
01.2024 - Current
Quality & Performance Improvement Specialist
Hackensack-Meridian Health - Riverview Medical Center
01.2020 - 01.2024
Co-Leader AHNA Coastal Chapter of NJ
American Holistic Nurse Association National Association
04.2019 - Current
RN
Emergency Care Center
06.2017 - 01.2020
Community Health Nurse
Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association
10.2012 - 12.2017
Emergency Department Staff RN
Raritan Bay Medical Center
04.2012 - 01.2013
Nursing Director Ambulatory Surgical Center
Atlantic Surgical Center
11.2010 - 10.2012
Emergency Department Staff RN-Full Time
New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
07.2008 - 01.2011
Diploma in Nursing -
Charles E. Gregory School of Nursing
05.2001 -
Manager Holistic Nurse Rounding Team Pilot
HMHN
MBA -
University of Arizona
RN-BSN -
Chamberlain University
RN-BSN -
Rutgers University
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