Summary
Dr. Kelly Espinoza is a charismatic, dynamic, highly qualified and experienced senior executive with an impressive background in leadership, strategy and quality improvements of nursing and interprofessional care that lead to better outcomes for all patients, families and healthcare settings. She excels in leadership positions due to her ability to communicate organizational goals, facilitate collaboration, foster innovation and successfully and seamlessly implement strategies that improve organizational productivity, as well as clinical and operational outcomes.
Dr. Espinoza possesses the vision, direction, passion and expertise for patient‐centered, evidence‐based care delivery and supports all team members and staff in partnering to meet patient needs and deliver exemplary care. She is known as an innovator in care model design focusing on multiple aspects of population health, extending the care continuum beyond the inpatient setting and developing teams to lead the work in the setting of complex, ever-changing environmental conditions.
Part of Dr. Espinoza's leadership strength comes from her authentic approach to listening, learning and gaining an understanding of the organization she leads by spending time understanding the workflows, operational challenges and systems her staff and teams work in.
Dr. Espinoza recently retired as the Chief Nursing Executive for Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She has served as an executive leader for over 20 years in Nevada, Washington, California and Idaho. Dr. Espinoza has also been an adjunct faculty at Washington State University (WSU) in Vancouver, WA., as well as guest lecturer at Washington State University, Spokane, Wa., Western Washington University, University of Portland, School of Nursing and serves on multiple boards and advisory committees for nursing practice, curriculum development and policy.
Orvis School of Nursing Faculty Track
- Clinician-leader / Administrator Pathway
Education
- Ph.D., University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2016