Vanderbilt Nursing

Susan Hernandez, BSN, RN, MBA
Chief Nursing Officer, Associate Hospital Director
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

With her bachelors in science, Susan began her clinical career with Vanderbilt in 1994 as a care partner.  Influenced by the nurses around her, Susan returned to school for an associate degree in nursing.  She later received an M.B.A. and most recently Susan completed her B.S.N.  During her tenure at Vanderbilt, Susan has successfully served in leadership roles in the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute as well as The Vanderbilt Clinic and as an administrative director of critical care services.  Susan embodies our guiding nursing philosophy that is patient/family centered and recognizes the inherent worth, dignity and uniqueness of every person.

Susan has a passion for nursing which is demonstrated in her role as Executive Sponsor of the Nurse Wellness Committee at Vanderbilt.  The Committee provides resources and opportunities to support the work/life balance of nurses.  Susan supports the growth of bedside care providers as well as leaders within the organization.  She has presented lectures regarding Nurse Wellness and serves on numerous hospital committees including the Workforce Planning Committee, Nursing Quality Council, MEOC Steering and Self Insurance Trust.  She also serves on the board for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

As Executive Sponsor of the Nurse Wellness Committee, Susan was instrumental in bringing to fruition the production of the VUMC musical “Hey Florence!,” created and written by Australian screenwriter and composer Craig Christie, in which she also had a starring role.  There are current plans to showcase the musical highlighting the ups and downs of nursing to both national and international audiences.

Kate Copeland, BSN, RN, CPN
Director of Pediatric Emergency Services

Kate Copeland is the Director of Emergency Services at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.  Kate has over 20 years of experience in pediatrics including acute care, emergency services, and hematology/oncology.  The Emergency Services line includes the Pediatric Emergency Department, the Outreach Team for our Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center, and the Resuscitation Program.  Kate believes improving the safety and quality of family centered care is the key to the success of these programs.  We are uniquely positioned to transform pediatric emergency care across our region and state through our education and collaboration with other healthcare providers

Marlee Crankshaw, DNP, RN, CNML
Director, Neonatal Services

Marlee has been with Vanderbilt since 1983.  She enjoyed her many years as a staff nurse before moving to Case Management, when she discovered she really thrived on having her hands on the many different pieces of the patient's experience.  She has always been with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and joined the Leadership Team in 2003 - for Neonatal Services, which includes NICU, Newborn Nursery and Perinatal Education.  Marlee is committed to providing excellent care to each of the babies and their families in this large department.  She works hard to ensure that each member of the staff feels valued, and has established a strong mentorship program.   

Connie Ford, RN, MHA, CPON, NEA-BC
Administrative Director, Inpatient Nursing Services

Connie began her career as a staff nurse in May 1979.  She went on to become a charge nurse, case manager, Manager of Patient Care Services, Director of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Integrated Service Line, and now serves as Administrative Director of Inpatient Nursing Services.  In addition to supporting patient and family centered care, she is passionate about supporting the frontline staff who provide such excellent care to our children.  She works in partnership to ensure a strategically-focused, efficient delivery of high quality patient care to children and adolescents.  Connie strives to promote a shared decision-making structure and accountability with organizational leaders and staff.  She was the recipient of the Five Pillar Leader Award in March 2011.

Trishonna M. Jackson, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Director, Clinical Education & Professional Development
Nursing Education and Professional Development

Trishonna has been with Vanderbilt since October 2008.  Since that time, she has transitioned into the role as Director of Education and Professional Development for Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.  The Nursing Education and Professional Development department has a responsibility to promote and provide opportunities for professional growth.  In keeping with this responsibility, Trishonna has made it is her goal to enhance and work on continued efforts to establish a culture of life-long learning for all nursing care staff members working in Children’s Hospital.  This includes focusing on orientation, competencies, and continuing education for staff, but also turning attention to improving systems, collaborative processes, and outcome evaluation of efforts around staff development.  Trishonna passionately believes that improved knowledge and skills of our staff will have a positive impact on patients, their experience, and the care being provided at the bedside.

Carolyn Maness, MSHA, RN, CNOR, NE-BC
Director Perioperative and Procedural Services

Carolyn has operational oversight for the perioperative and procedural services in Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.  A surgical nurse for most of her career, she holds certification in both perioperative nursing and nursing administration.  Carolyn has been at Vanderbilt for over 28 years and has been in leadership roles in the Children’s perioperative arena since 1995, serving as charge nurse and manager prior to her current role.  Carolyn’s focus is the provision of the best care possible for children undergoing surgery and other invasive procedures.  Children’s Hospital provides the ideal environment for nurses and other health care professionals to provide safe efficient care as part of an outstanding multidisciplinary team.

Kathy Moss, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
Director, Nursing and Clinical Support Services

Kathy joined the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Nursing leadership team in January of 2010.  She has 25 years of healthcare experience that includes 10 years of clinical nursing practice in Pediatric Medicine and Pediatric Critical Care as well as 15 years of nursing leadership, project management, and consulting experience.  In her current position Kathy is responsible for oversight of the Nursing Float Pool, Administrative Coordinators, Respiratory Care, Nursing Special Projects, and Wound Ostomy Nursing.  She believes that support of patient and family-centered care as well as knowledge of methods to improve patient quality, satisfaction, and outcomes through evidence-based practices are critical skills for nurse leaders.  She is proud to be a part of Vanderbilt Nursing where nurses are encouraged to practice to their fullest potential and are exposed to world-renowned leaders and researchers in a collaborative environment.

Barbara Shultz, MSN, RN
Administrative Director of Surgical Services

Barbara Shultz came to Vanderbilt in 2005 and has worked in numerous areas of the hospital since her arrival.  In her current position, the goal is to work with others across the organization to identify new innovative ways to conduct business in the surgical arena that will improve the patient experience and enhance patient safety and quality.  She works with other team members to integrate all aspects of our patient’s care by focusing on the patient’s experience across the continuum.  Barbara is also very committed to the professional development of others to ensure that we will continue to develop teams that provide excellent patient care, research, and education.  She is very committed to professional development to ensure our future.  She is currently the co-chair of the Leadership Development Task Force for VUMC.