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decades of experience leading clinical and operational excellence across diverse healthcare
settings. Grounded in her nursing roots and guided by the Caritas principles of loving-kindness,
dignity, and human connection, Darlene has served in senior leadership roles including Chief
Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Medical-Surgical Nursing.
strategic insight with a deep commitment to healing and wholeness. Her leadership fosters
cultures of compassion, accountability, and collaboration—prioritizing both operational
performance and the sacred nature of caregiving.
Darlene’s legacy is one of purpose-driven impact: mentoring emerging leaders, stewarding
and Executive with expertise in driving strategy, clinical and operational
improvement. Her journey from diverse nursing roles to the high-impact position
of Chief Nursing Officer has provided her with a wealth of insights and practical
expertise, which has leveraged to guide other nursing leaders in their pursuit of
excellence.
With over 30 plus years of experience and dedication to the healthcare field,
comes a proven track record in inspiring individuals and teams to thrive at their
highest potential. Michelle has a proven track record of driving clinical and
operational performance, improving patient care experience through innovative
care delivery models, driving growth through referral and provider relations,
outpatient practice development and service line development, and developing
quality care models to decrease iatrogenic hospital acquired infections.
large teaching facility to Magnet Accreditation, the highest award granted a
hospital organization. This illuminates her skill at facilitation and the
understanding of organizational culture shifts that transform the leaders as well
as the clinical and administrative staff to a high reliable organization.
Influencer/ Executive Coach serving dynamic health care leaders. She founded
SOAR Executive Coaching for Health Care Leaders in October 2021. She also
founded, October 2023 the Healthcare Leader Mastery Inner Circle program to
facilitate and coach healthcare leaders on resiliency, skill mastery, career
advancement and pivots, and the underpinnings of surviving the healthcare
landscape.
competent healthcare leaders into high-performing executives. She utilizes her
extensive background in clinical operations, strategic planning, and performance
improvement to deliver tailored coaching strategies. This empowers her clients to
navigate their challenges, optimize their performance, and lead their teams more
Administration Degree from Penn State University. To continue her self-
development and continuous learning philosophy, Michelle received her board
certification in Nurse Executive Advance and is certified as a John Maxwell Coach,
speaker, and trainer. She was recently awarded her coaching accreditation
through the EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council). This
accreditation, to be trained at the highest level of mastery in the field of coaching
continues to recognize Michelle as a sought-after Elite Influencer in the
healthcare landscape.
Michelle is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Texas
Organization of Nurse Leaders, Texas Nurses Association, American Nurses’
Association, and the National Association of Women Business Owners. Michelle
serves as a mentor for up-and-coming high school careerists looking to start their
own businesses.
Michelle is also a member of the midcrop club, an exclusive female platform for
female keynote speakers. She delivers workshops, webinars, and keynotes about
leading with impact and influence in healthcare landscapes and corporate settings
Leadership, a Certified Professional Coach, with a Certificate in Deep Coaching,
and Certified in 3D Health Systems Transformation.
Darlene is a passionate advocate for the health and wellbeing of healthcare
professionals and all those they care for. During a career that has spanned over
40 years, she has taken on many different roles and tackled various issues and
challenges, all with astounding success.
In 2013 she received the Alberta Medical Association Medal of Honour, which is
awarded each year to a non-physician for their contribution to healthcare in
Alberta.
She has come to be known as the Nurses’ Nurse. Dedicated to bringing
transformational leadership, coaching, and mentoring to nurses and other
healthcare professionals. She is passionate about listening to, teaching and
inspiring nurses to use their voice and heart to engage in systems redesign where
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