Phoenix Children’s welcomes Connie Ford as the Vice President of Professional Practice. In this position, Connie’s areas of responsibility will encompass education, and clinical and professional practice of nursing outcomes and research. Connie will collaborate with organizational nursing leaders to help develop and sustain an environment that promotes excellence in nursing practices.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a person like Connie join Phoenix Children’s Hospital,” said Julie Bowman, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “She will lead initiatives at both strategic and tactical levels including onboarding of new staff, providing ongoing continuing education programs and system advancing nursing outcomes through the management of nurse-sensitive quality indicators, evidence- based practice and nursing research.”

Connie has spent her career at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, a 271-bed free standing children’s hospital in Nashville, TN that is part of the Vanderbilt Health System.

She worked as a staff nurse in both inpatient and clinic settings for pediatric oncology patients, managed the Hematology/Oncology clinic, directed the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology service line, and ultimately served as Administrative Director of Inpatient Nursing Services at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. Connie’ responsibilities included serving as chair of the Shared Governance Committee, leading the Professional Nurse Practice program, and an integral part of the Magnet application and verification process at Vanderbilt. Additionally, she is a Survey Escort for The Joint Commission.

Connie completed her BSN in 2001 from Excelsior College in Albany, New York. In 2005, she completed her MHA from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, Connie received her Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2011.