SITKA – SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is proud to announce that within one year of welcoming Kari Wilson, RN, FNP-BC, MSN, MHA, FACHE, to Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital (MEH) as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Kari has earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Beginning the doctorate program approximately three years ago while working as a CNO in the Midwest, Ms. Wilson received her DNP degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing, graduating earlier this month.
Kari’s DNP has a Leadership emphasis and explained that in the middle of the country, it is quickly becoming the standard for CNO’s to have this level of education. She said, “I had two Masters Degrees (MSN with FNP emphasis, and MHA) already and the doctorate was a natural extension. I have a curious mind and found each of my degrees has provided practical knowledge.” Wilson added, “I’m fortunate to have such a supportive family, and even after moving to Southeast Alaska, it never even crossed my mind not to finish. I guess I can thank my parents for drilling into me as a kid that you finish what you start.”
Ms. Wilson is passionate about rural health, which she attributes to growing up on a remote Missouri farm. She came to SEARHC in June 2018 with 14 years of CNO/Chief Operating Officer experience from an SSM Health hospital and clinic network in a rural Missouri hospital. During her time at SSM Health, Wilson also helped lead that hospital through their acquisition-transition period.
According to SEARHC Vice President and MEH Hospital Administrator Chris Wolf, “SEARHC is not only thrilled for Kari’s achievements with such notable educational and career success, but we’re also thrilled and fortunate that she is here to share her experience and expertise with us.”