KDH Names new VP Nursing/Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Katie Hogue, Nurse Practitioner and Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE), as its new Vice President of Nursing/Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive (CNE), effective August 19, 2024.

Hogue brings to KDH 19 years of progressive leadership experience in the healthcare sector, with six years as a senior executive. She has a wealth of clinical leadership experience ranging from acute care to primary care, emergency medical services (EMS), and long-term care.

Hogue comes to KDH from the West Parry Sound Health Centre (WPSHC), where she has served as Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Primary, Patient and Family Centred Care since 2021. In this role she has been responsible for all inpatient and outpatient clinical programs for a 70-bed acute care hospital, EMS, a six-site Nurse Practitioner-led clinic, and more. All told, she has had responsibility for more than 500 clinical staff.

Previously, Hogue served as WPSHC’s Director of Nursing, Clinical, and Community Programs. She started with the healthcare organization in 2014 as Manager of Primary Care and Nurse Practitioner Lead for one of its nursing stations, and by 2018 was recognized as a senior leader in the organization as Director of Primary Care/Nurse Practitioner Lead.

Significant accomplishments in Hogue’s career to date, enabled by her skills in collaboration and systems integration, include development of a mental health hub to support seamless transition from hospital to the community, and expansion of WPSHC’s rural Nurse Practitioner-led clinics which saw the hospital, primary care, and EMS collaborating on a Quality Improvement Plan.

Hogue has a passion for teaching dating back to 2013 and is currently a part-time Professor in Canadore College’s Health Care Administration program.  Among many speaking engagements, she has twice been the keynote speaker at the College’s convocation ceremony.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Laurentian University in 2005, Hogue earned her Masters of Nursing: Nurse Practitioner degree from Athabasca University in 2014. Hogue’s personal and professional growth mindset has led her to achieve a number of additional certifications over the years, including Certified Health Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders in 2023.

“We are very pleased to welcome Katie to KDH,” said the hospital’s CEO, Frank J. Vassallo.  “She has an impressive track record of both strategic and clinical leadership achievements and brings a systems thinking and collaborative approach that KDH will benefit from. Since the bulk of her leadership career has been serving in a rural community, she understands the unique challenges and opportunities inherent in smaller communities like ours.”

Hogue responded: “I am thrilled to be joining team KDH! Kemptville District Hospital has a reputation of being a leader in rural health care and partnerships, and I am honored to be joining the senior leadership team. I look forward to bringing my leadership and nursing experience to the organization and community we are privileged to serve! I hold a strong commitment to quality, efficient, and equitable patient care. Through a shared commitment of partnerships and innovation, I believe that we will continue to grow and lead in providing exceptional quality care to the community and families we serve. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to working with my new colleagues and our partners!”

Hogue succeeds Jennifer Ellis, RN, PhD, who served in the role from 2022 to 2024. Vassallo expressed his gratitude to Ellis for her service, commending her dedication, passion, and devotion to supporting the growth of her people. “Jen’s values and accomplishments have left a lasting impression on us,” he said.

Vassallo also thanked Cassandra Mayville-Fortin, MHA, CHE, RN, BSc, for assuming the role of Interim VP Nursing/Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “Cassandra did an excellent job in this role while continuing her duties as Manager of Emergency, Care Quality, and Education,” he noted. “Juggling several demanding responsibilities on relatively short notice was not an easy assignment and we are very grateful for her professionalism, dedication, and work ethic.”

Featured Image – Katie Hogue is KDH’s new Vice President of Nursing/Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive, effective August 19, 2024.