Piedmont has created a new executive-level position focused on nursing informatics. Mary Kane, MS, RN, NI-BC, will serve as the inaugural chief nursing informatics officer (CNIO) for the health system. 

In this newly created position, Kane will play a pivotal role in optimizing technology, enhancing efficiency, and positively impacting nurses, clinicians and Piedmont’s 3.7 million patients. She will serve as the strategic liaison for health information technology efforts representing nurse and clinician needs. Along with a team of clinical and pharmacy informaticists and in partnership with key peers, including chief medical informatics officers, she will help steer Piedmont’s efforts to incorporate clinical informatics and digital tools into patient care to promote clinical excellence.

“At Piedmont, one of our values is to embrace the future. New technology with the potential to make us more accurate and efficient in health care delivery is here, and we need to be prepared,” said Lacy Knight, M.D., chief health informatics officer at Piedmont. “Adding the role of CNIO to our leadership team will ensure we thoughtfully balance the risks and opportunities that come with introducing innovative technology in a health care setting.”

Kane brings more than 20 years of progressive clinical, operational and executive leadership experience covering integrated delivery systems, health payer, life sciences and commercial settings. She has worked in health-care organizations of all sizes. She most recently served as managing principal-healthcare for the Northridge Group, based in Rosemont, Ill. Prior to that, she was system vice president and chief clinical informatics officer at Advocate Aurora Health, one of the largest integrated delivery systems in the United States. She also previously served as vice president and regional chief nursing informatics officer at Catholic Health Initiatives (now Common Spirit Health), the largest nonprofit health care system in the country.

“Mary is passionate about harnessing the power of technology to enhance the nursing and patient experience,” said Denise Ray, chief nurse executive at Piedmont. “She is the right person to help Piedmont lead the way in the safe adoption of the latest technology to assist nurses and clinicians.”

Said Kane:

“It is great to be at a forward-looking organization like Piedmont. We exist to serve our patients and I am excited about ways we can implement technology to provide greater care while also maximizing the talent of our great nurses.”

Kane started as CNIO at Piedmont in December.