St. Joseph’s Health has new chief nursing officer

Jamie M. Kabanuk has been appointed St. Joseph’s Health’s new chief nursing (CNO), effective Aug. 16.

According to the hospital, Kabanuk has a proven track record of fostering a culture of ownership through accountability, respect, innovation and shared governance. As CNO, she will provide clinical and administrative leadership for planning, organizing, directing, monitoring and evaluating safe high-quality patient care to advance the mission of St. Joseph’s Health.

Kabanuk grew up in the Tompkins County town of Lansing and has many family members in Central New York. She returns to the region from Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro, South Carolina, where she served as chief nursing officer. Under her leadership, the hospital experienced improvement in physician engagement, nursing care and overall quality of care. In addition, she optimized patient flow in several ways including reducing emergency department admitted length of stay.

Prior to her position at Colleton Medical Center, Kabanuk spent six years at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She served in several roles including assistant chief nursing officer. 

Before moving to South Carolina, Kabanuk worked as a registered nurse in the emergency department and inpatient nursing units at Cortland Regional Medical Center. She also served four years in the United States Army, managing operations for equipment intake, maintenance pool and supply chain.

“We are excited to have Jamie return to Central New York and lead our excellent, Magnet-recognized, nursing staff,” said Leslie Paul Luke, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health. “Jamie is an innovative leader with vast experience at several hospitals. Members of our medical staff, senior staff, colleagues, and board members strongly endorsed her. She will be an outstanding addition to our team as we work together to serve as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities.”

Kabanuk received her Doctor of Nursing in executive leadership from Chamberlain University in Illinois in 2018, her Master of Science in nursing leadership from Jacksonville University in Florida in 2016, her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Utica College in Utica in 2014 and her Associates Degree in nursing from Tompkins-Cortland Community College in 2006.

Kabanuk is a member of the American Nurses Association, American College of Healthcare Executives, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

She and her husband, a Cortlandville native, have two children.

Photo: Jamie Kabanuk