Carol Nizzardini, RN, MS

VAMHCS Chief Nurse Executive
Effective June 26, 2005

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Carol Nizzardini, MS, RN, was appointed as the Chief Nurse Executive for the Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Health Care System, effective June 27, 2005. Prior to assuming this position, Nizzardini served for 30 years in a variety of health care and risk management roles.

In her capacity as the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Chief Nurse Executive, Nizzardini will be responsible for the provision, coordination and supervision of nursing services at the Baltimore and Perry Point VA Medical Center, the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center and five community based outpatient clinics throughout the state. The health care system is known for providing comprehensive service to Maryland’s veterans, including medical, surgical, rehabilitative, neurological, primary, mental health and long-term care on both and inpatient and outpatient basis. Nizzardini will serve as an integral member of the leadership team for the VA Maryland Health Care System in coordinating the delivery of quality patient care to over 51,000 veterans who are treated throughout the system each year.

Born and raised in New York City, Nizzardini received her clinical education, including nursing diploma and both baccalaureate and master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She has held positions at both community and university based health systems in her 30 plus years in the health care arena. Her experience includes nursing administration, education and patient safety/risk management.

Prior to joining the VA Maryland Health Care System in 1998 as the Director of Patient Safety and Risk Management, Nizzardini was the Corporate Director for Quality/Risk Management at the Glass Health Systems in Baltimore.

As an expert in patient safety and quality management, Nizzardini has served as a guest lecturer on various occasions for groups such as the Maryland Hospital Association, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Villa Julie College and Union Memorial Hospital.

Employment History

Date	Position	Location
June 2005 to Present	Chief Nurse Executive	VAMHCS
Jan. 2005 – June 2005	Acting Chief Nurse Executive	VAMHCS
Apr. 1998 – Jan. 2005	Director of Patient Safety & Risk Management	VAMHCS
Sept. 1997 – Feb. 1998	Corporate Director, Quality/Risk Management	Glass Health Systems Baltimore, MD
Feb. 1992 – July 1997	Quality Improvement Coordinator	St. Joseph Medical Center Baltimore, MD
May 1990 - Feb. 1992	Assistant Director of Nursing	Fallston General Hospital Baltimore, MD
April 1989 – May 1990	Nursing Supervisor	Good Samaritan Hospital Baltimore, MD
Aug. 1985 – Sept. 1988	Director, Critical Care	Homewood Hospital Center Baltimore, MD