Akron Children’s Chief Nursing Officer Christine Young, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
Congratulations to Akron Children’s Chief Nursing Officer Christine Young, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, on receiving the Ohio Organization for Nursing Leadership (OONL) 2022 Leadership Award.
The award recognizes an OONL member who demonstrates leadership and innovation, promotes professional development, and exhibits mentorship and a commitment to the education and development of future nurse leaders.
“This award reflects Chris’s exemplary leadership and outstanding commitment to nursing professional practice,” said Akron Children’s Chief Operating Officer Lisa Aurilio, MSN, MBA. “The last few years have been difficult for nurses. Chris has supported our workforce through the stress of working through the pandemic and offered innovative solutions to nursing staff shortages. Her continuous hard work and dedication has helped to elevate the level of nursing care provided within our organization. We’re grateful to have her on our leadership team.”
Christine has been a nurse for more than 25 years, holding a variety of clinical and administrative roles. She joined Akron Children’s in 2012 as the director of neonatal services. In 2017, she moved to her current role as CNO, where she oversees nursing practice in all settings in the organization, as well as the Center for Nursing Excellence and the Office of Advanced Practice. Christine is also the first chair holder of the Grace Wakulchik Endowed Chair for Nursing.
She is also responsible for the operations of inpatient services, intensive care units, surgical services, respiratory care and three service lines – behavioral health, perinatal/neonatal and hematology/oncology line – throughout the region.
In 2022, under her leadership, Akron Children’s achieved its fourth Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which honors health care organizations that provide the very best patient care in a high quality, safe environment that supports professionalism in nursing.
Her award nomination cited several of her recent accomplishments expanding quality improvement initiatives and workforce development programs, such as Career Launch and the Rising Nurse Leader Academy. In addition to her work with the hospital, Christine is currently pursuing her doctoral nursing degree from The Ohio State University.
