Ann Marie Capo, an administrator who began her career as a NICU nurse, has been named Vice President for Quality and Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer at UConn Health. Her appointment was announced by Anne Diamond, CEO of UConn Health’s John Dempsey Hospital.

“Ann Marie has had a long and very distinguished career here at UConn Health, giving her a unique perspective on our history but most importantly on our trajectory for the future,” said Diamond. “Her experience here is impressive, and the respect she has earned during her tenure with UConn is exceptional.”

Capo began her career in nursing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and rose to become the nurse manager of a 34-bed, level 3 unit. She was co-leader of the multi-disciplinary team that brought the National Institute of Health General Clinical Research Center to UConn Health, making UConn the first NIH-funded outpatient facility in the nation.

Most recently as Associate Vice President of Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety and Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer, Capo championed improvements, efficiencies, quality, and patient safety standards through Connecticut Hospital Association’s high reliability collaborative and patient service standards with The Studer Group.

“Ann Marie is passionate about nursing’s role in patient safety, quality outcomes, and working within multi-disciplinary teams providing patient-centered care,” said Diamond. “She is a focused team-builder with an inclusive and mentoring approach. She will be our partner in strengthening our culture through quality improvement and guiding our way along the journey [toward prestigious Magnet status awarded by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center].”