We are excited to announce Kristin Christophersen has joined the team as Chief Nursing Executive, helping Medecipher with client and partner engagement and providing valuable clinical feedback throughout the innovation process.
Before joining Medecipher, Dr. Christophersen was the Region I Chief Nursing Officer for Prime Healthcare where she oversaw clinical and administrative practices at 17 hospitals in California/Nevada. She has served in various executive leadership roles in the past twenty years including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Nursing Officer in various sizes (academic, tertiary, community, specialty) and types (investor-owned, non-profit) of facilities.
I’m excited about being a part of improving efficiency and positively impacting the workflow of the nurse. Health systems are searching for technology solutions to ease workflow burdens so nurses can use their critical thinking skills to ensure patients stay safe. The optimal staffing solution Medecipher provides can transform how scheduling is accomplished and introduce benefits for the hospital, patients, and nurses.”
Dr. Christophersen holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in business administration from Keller Graduate School, and a doctorate in nursing executive leadership from American Sentinel University. She also served as online faculty for the University of Phoenix for twelve years teaching organizational behavior, leadership, and management courses and has published various articles on leadership in healthcare. Her professional affiliations include, ACHE, AONL, ACNL, and NAHQ. Dr. Christophersen is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and maintains certification as a Nurse Executive, Professional in Healthcare Quality, and Lean Six Sigma.
Questions & Answers with Dr. Christophersen
How do you feel nurses can play a part in facilitating change in their profession?
I believe nurses can be the drivers of change. We need to get involved! Whether it’s at the department level, hospital level, or through professional organizations, we need our voices to be heard and we need to be a voice of solutions.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing nursing?
The obvious challenge is the staffing shortage that is occurring, but I think staffing shortages can be mitigated by increasing the efficiency of the work. By aligning responsibilities to each nurses’ skill sets, nurses can then focus on work related to their expertise and provide the best patient care in a more efficient way.
What changes have you seen that are making a positive impact on nursing?
Hospitals are beginning to look at different models of care instead of the traditional models which tie nurses to a certain number of patients and have them assume every aspect of care for those patients. New care models lend an opportunity to align and shift responsibilities in a new way that can make a positive impact on the work of the nurse. Healthcare has been slow to adopt technology solutions. Those times are changing as the models of care are re-invented. Technology has the potential to lift burdens of care introducing automation which leads to increased efficiency.
Do you have a personal inspiration?
I have a favorite quote from the “Art of Possibility,” by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander.
“A simple way to practice it’s all invented is to ask yourself this question: What assumption am I making, That I’m not aware I’m making, That gives me what I see? And when you have an answer to that question, ask yourself this one: What might I now invent, That I haven’t yet invented, That would give me other choices?“
I have always functioned by that motto. There is possibility in every conversation. I might agree with something or see conflict in something, but there is always the possibility to come out on the other side with a great service, product, or outcome.
What do enjoy in your free time?
I live in California with my husband and 14 year old son, and also have two adult children and one granddaughter. I enjoy slowing down and spending quality time with my family. I’m a voracious reader, and also like to golf and take long walks on the beautiful beaches.