Over the course of more than 30 years, a Lebanon County woman has advanced from a volunteer candy striper position at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital to senior vice president and chief nursing executive for WellSpan Health.
Patricia Donley’s promotion to her new leadership role was announced by WellSpan Health in a March 11 news release. In her new post, Donley (RN, DNP, NEA-A) will “oversee the integration of new models of nursing care and work to strengthen nursing innovation and research across the system, guiding key nursing initiatives to achieve sustainable advancements,” the release said.
“Patty brings a focus on nursing operational excellence and continuous improvement to deliver safe, high quality and personalized care across the full spectrum of our system, from our nine hospitals to outpatient care and all of our services where nurses play such a critical role,” said Kasey Paulus, executive vice president and chief operating officer for WellSpan Health, said in the announcement. “Her vision and tireless dedication to our care teams, as well as her active work in our communities, makes her an excellent fit for our executive team.”
According to the release, Donley has been a part of WellSpan for more than three decades, starting as a volunteer assisting nurses at WellSpan Good Samaritan. She rose through the ranks over the years, most recently serving for five years as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Good Samaritan before assuming the role of hospital president in February 2022.
She will continue to serve as interim president of the hospital until someone is named to that post.
Her leadership and commitment to nursing helped secure a generous donation from Jeanne and Ed Arnold to establish the Jeanne Donlevy Arnold Center for Nursing Innovation, the release noted. The specialized center is focused on leveraging WellSpan’s innovation competency with a focus on transforming training, establishing next generation care models, leveraging AI and integrating digital technologies to support a thriving nursing workforce.
Read More: WellSpan puts $1.5 million donation to use to boost local nursing opportunities
Outside of the health system, Donley serves on the Lebanon Valley College Board of Trustees, the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce Board, the Lebanon County Christian Ministries Board, and the South Lebanon Township Zoning Board. She earned a diploma in nursing from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, a bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College, a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix, and doctor of nursing degree from Vanderbilt University.
In her new role, Donley will report to Kasey Paulus, who previously held the role of chief nursing executive for the system.
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