Emily Winters, DNP, RN, NEA-BC Senior Director, Nursing Excellence Programs at Kaleida Health.
Emily Winters is a dedicated and visionary nursing leader with a passion for elevating the nursing profession through excellence in accreditation, professional development, and advocacy. As the Senior Director of Nursing Excellence Programs at an acute care hospital, she plays a pivotal role in shaping nursing recognition and accreditation standards, ensuring that nurses receive the acknowledgment and support they deserve in modern healthcare.
Emily holds board certifications in Nursing Professional Development and Nurse Executive Advanced, demonstrating her commitment to leadership, mentorship, and advancing the nursing profession. She serves on the Hospital Association of New York State (HANYS), where she influences policies and initiatives aimed at improving nursing practice statewide.
Driven by a deep commitment to fostering nurturing work environments, Emily champions team cohesion, diversity, and inclusivity within nursing to enhance patient care and strengthen healthcare systems. Her leadership promotes healthy work environments that empower nurses and reinforce the critical value they bring to patient safety and healthcare innovation.
Emily has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the nursing community, receiving the Nursing Excellence Award and being honored as a Rochester Business Journal Healthcare Hero. Her dedication to humanitarian service was further acknowledged in 2017 when the University of Rochester Medical Center recognized her volunteer efforts in disaster nursing following Hurricane Maria’s devastation in Puerto Rico.
In pursuit of advancing patient outcomes, Emily earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP), focusing her research on improving care for patients with sickle cell disease. Her work emphasizes continuing education in SCD pathophysiology, trauma-informed care, and culturally sensitive approaches, helping healthcare professionals deliver more effective, compassionate, and equitable care.
Through her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to nursing excellence, Emily Winters continues to shape the future of healthcare, ensuring that nurses thrive in environments that recognize their expertise, resilience, and indispensable contributions.