While health care professionals are urgently seeking solutions to challenges that are familiar in organizations nationwide, it appears several forces are converging to create one of the most innovative and exciting times in nursing in decades.
In partnership with The Health Management Academy, the Nurse Catalyst Program – fully funded by SSM Health – empowers high-potential nurse managers to develop and lead solutions through Nurse Manager Labs to transform the future of nursing. Participation is selective, with only 10 leading health systems in the United States represented. Of the 71 participants in this year’s class, eight were SSM Health nurses.
Congratulations to the SSM Health Nurse Catalyst Program - Cohort 2 Graduates and their mentors who were recognized during a virtual graduation ceremony on May 19, 2026.
| Participant | Mentor |
|---|---|
| Jen Wisotzke | Mary Laham |
| Melissa Novacich | April Hawk |
| Cassie Steitz | Angie Fraley |
| Teresa Stinebring | Kami Boggs |
| Leslie Charlton | Beth Eidson |
| Kristin Heurkens | Shelley Sabourin |
| Kate Hoerle | Amber Wood |
| Julie Hernandez | Shelley Sabourin |
During the ceremony, Amy Wilson, Chief Nurse Executive at SSM Health said, “I am really proud of this cohort group and the leadership and innovation [they] brought to [their] projects this year. The way you [leaders] were able to partner with mentors, connect projects to our strategic priorities, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to implement pilots that will move our organization forward is truly remarkable.”
Pilot projects covered a variety of pressing topics in nursing.
- Cassandra Steitz implemented a call-light automation pilot that has reduced average daily calls by 63 and has driven a 12.7% improvement in patient satisfaction scores.
- Julie Hernandez is improving attitudes and beliefs around inpatient mobility with an initiative to raise ambulation rates from 62% to 85% by August 2026, projecting a reduction in length of stay, falls, and pressure injuries while improving patient strength and discharge outcomes.
- Melissa Novacich is leading the integration of point-of-care ultrasound with Epic to capture Vascular Access team productivity and revenue, generating a projected $80 thousand in savings per ministry.
Notably, Kaitlin Hoerle was selected for a spotlight presentation discussing her efforts to enhance the Nurse Extern Program at SSM Health, striving to increase conversion rates of nurse externs to graduate nurses, with her pilot set to go live in select ministries at the end of June 2026.
As SSM Health Nursing continues to focus on exceptional care and building future leaders, we are proud to celebrate this cohort and look forward to more nursing leaders joining the Nurse Catalyst Program.
