American Nurses Association and American Nurses Credentialing Center Appoint New Staff Leaders
Contact:
Tamiko Murray, 301-628-5161
tamiko.murray@ana.org
Jemarion Jones, 301-628-5057
jemarion.jones@ana.org
SILVER SPRING, MD —The American Nurses Association (ANA) today announced the appointment of Vellore S. Gopinath to chief information officer. In addition, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) announced the appointment of Kathy Chappell, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP to interim chief staff officer. The appointments are effective immediately.
Vellore S. Gopinath has been appointed to chief information officer. Gopinath will help guide the organization’s strategic initiatives and grow its current systems, resources and infrastructure. He will direct the planning and implementation of enterprise information technology systems in support of business operations to improve service quality and business development.
Gopinath has more than 25 years of experience with large multi-national telecommunications companies such as AT&T, Sprint, Reliance Communications and Orange. Most recently he was the president and chief operating officer of the Enterprise Division of Reliance Communications and prior to that he was the chief executive officer of AT&T Global Network Services India. He also has experience in information technology, product management, product development, sales management and marketing.
Gopinath has an undergraduate degree in engineering from the University of Madras, a graduate degree in engineering from the University of Iowa, and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Kathy Chappell, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP has been appointed to interim ANCC chief staff officer. Chappell has more than 25 years of nursing experience, including clinical practice as a direct care nurse in critical care and emergency nursing; hospital administration; project management for programs such as the Magnet Recognition Program, NDNQI, quality improvement and shared governance; and hospital-system strategic planning for professional nursing practice, including nursing clinical education,
As the chief staff officer, Chappell will oversee ANCC's full portfolio of credentialing programs, including accreditation of continuing nursing education programs, certification of individual nurses, and the Pathway to Excellence program, in addition to leading the Magnet program, which is widely held to be the most prestigious peer-reviewed recognition in the industry.
Chappell received her baccalaureate in nursing with distinction from the University of Virginia, her masters of science in advanced clinical nursing from George Mason University, and her doctorate in nursing from George Mason University.
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The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 3.6 million registered nurses. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize health care organizations for promoting nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes and promoting safe, positive work environments through the Magnet Recognition Program®, Pathway to Excellence®, and Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care™ Programs; and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. Additionally, ANCC is increasing its focus on nursing excellence internationally through its ANCC World programs.