Jennifer Hankwitz, MSN, BSN, RN

Chief Nursing Officer, East Madison Hospital - UW Health

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

About

Strategic and results-driven nurse leader with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience and a systems-level perspective spanning cardiac, medical-surgical, critical care, and emergency nursing. Proven ability to align clinical objectives with operational imperatives to drive improvements in quality, safety, and efficiency across diverse care environments. Recognized for transparent leadership, interprofessional collaboration, and empowering teams through shared governance. Committed to transforming care delivery through evidence-based, sustainable practices and strategic alignment with organizational goals.

Experience

  • UW Health (10 yrs 11 mos)
    • Chief Nursing Officer, East Madison Hospital
      Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    • Director, East Madison Hospital Medical/Surgical Nursing
      Apr 2024 - Oct 2025 · 1 yr 7 mos

      Provides strategic leadership for inpatient services at East Madison Hospital, overseeing medical-surgical nursing units and the house supervisor team accounting for approximately 190 FTE. Responsible for operational, financial, and personnel management, with a focus on delivering high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered care. Collaborates across departments to optimize hospital throughput, care coordination, and alignment with system-wide priorities in quality, safety, and staff engagement.

    • Director, Emergency Services
      May 2020 - Apr 2024 · 4 yrs

      Accountable for over 280 FTE. Led dual-site operational, financial, and strategic initiatives to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality emergency care. Promoted cross-functional collaboration and alignment between sites and UW Health’s strategic goals.

  • Registered Nurse at Greenville Health System
    Apr 2013 - May 2015 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    • Respond and coordinate care of STEMI patients from point of entry/activation to the cardiac cath lab • Assist as needed in the cardiac cath lab to facilitate rapid intervention for STEMI patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) • Circulate as a resource nurse in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit

  • UW Health (11 yrs)
    • Nursing Supervisor
      Sep 2010 - Dec 2012 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      • Collaborate with the Clinical Nurse Manager to manage daily operations of nursing care services in a tertiary 24 bed mixed medical/surgical/ level one trauma intensive care unit • Assist with developing and implementing evidence based quality improvement practice • Assist with staff recruitment, leadership development and performance appraisals • Responsible for responding to all unit events reported through Patient Safety Net (PSN) • Support education and research within the unit • Responsible for the training and oversight of volunteer staff for the unit visitor lounge

    • Care Team Leader
      Dec 2004 - Sep 2010 · 5 yrs 10 mos

      • Establish patient care assignments based on abilities of nursing personnel and patient acuity • Provide leadership and consultation to team members • Collect and assess data to effectively manage the work of the team • Ensure adequate staffing for unit acuity • Act to facilitate cost control of both material and human resources

    • Nurse Clinician
      Jan 2002 - Dec 2004 · 3 yrs

      • Deliver comprehensive intensive care for patients with a wide variety of surgical, medical and traumatic illnesses • Collaborate with a large interdisciplinary team, families and patients to optimize outcomes • Served as a preceptor to experienced and new graduate nurses