Covenant Health is excited to welcome Laura Kaszer, DNP, MHA, MSN, RN, NE-BC, as the new chief nursing officer at Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System.

“Laura’s career speaks for itself. She has consistently elevated the quality of nursing practice, driven measurable outcomes and cultivated cultures where nurses thrive and patients receive exceptional care,” said Debbi Honey, MHA, RN, CPHQ, CENP, FAONL, chief nursing officer of Covenant Health. “Her experience leading complex service lines and Magnet program development, paired with her passion for education and professional development, positions her perfectly to advance nursing excellence at Morristown-Hamblen. I look forward to the impact she will have on our nursing teams and the community.”

Kaszer brings more than 15 years of nursing leadership experience from some of the nation’s most respected health systems, including the Cleveland Clinic and HCA Healthcare. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus on Healthcare Systems Leadership, a dual master’s in nursing and healthcare administration, and is a board-certified nurse executive.

Throughout her career, Kaszer has demonstrated a proven ability to build high-performing teams, improve quality outcomes and elevate the patient experience. She has led complex service lines including critical care, emergency services and Magnet program development. In these roles, she has driven meaningful results, including reducing infection rates and nurse turnover and improving employee engagement and patient satisfaction scores.

Most recently, Kaszer served as Magnet program director at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital.

There, she led the hospital’s journey toward Magnet designation, championed nursing professional development and advanced a culture of evidence-based practice and shared governance. Her leadership helped increase national nursing certification rates and advance Bachelor of Science in Nursing preparation among the nursing team.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Laura to the Morristown-Hamblen family,” said Gordon Lintz, chief administrative officer. “Her depth of experience across critical care, emergency services and nursing excellence programs, combined with her genuine passion for developing people and elevating the quality of care, makes her exactly the kind of leader our nursing team and patients deserve. I have no doubt she will make an extraordinary impact on our hospital and the community we are privileged to serve.”

Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Kaszer is a dedicated educator, having served as adjunct clinical faculty and a mentor to Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice students throughout her career.

She is passionate about developing the next generation of nursing leaders and aligning teams around a shared mission of exceptional, compassionate care.

In her new role as chief nursing officer, Kaszer will provide strategic leadership for nursing practice and operations across Morristown- Hamblen Healthcare System, continuing the hospital’s tradition of delivering outstanding care for the community.