Katy Wilkens, RN, BSN, MBA, NEA-BC, has been named Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System.
Wilkens is a senior nursing executive with extensive leadership experience, most recently serving as the Vice President of Patient Services – CNO for Northern Arizona Healthcare; Flagstaff Medical Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. Wilkens helped lead Flagstaff, a hospital with 265 beds, Level 1 Trauma ER that specializes in open heart surgery and cardiac electrophysiology.
“My goal is to ensure the CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System builds on its wonderful foundation of providing quality, evidenced-based, patient-centered care to the patients of this region,” said Wilkens. “I believe in being accountable to our patients, to our Associates and to this community. I am confident that together we will ensure that CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier continues providing the compassionate, high-quality care that our community has come to expect.”
Previously, Wilkens worked for Baylor in Grapevine, Texas and Kindred Phoenix and Kindred Scottsdale Hospitals, in Arizona. She brings a wealth of experience in cardiovascular, critical care and acute care services and has led her hospitals in numerous accreditations and recognitions, including Magnet Certification. Wilkens grew up in New Orleans, and her father attended LSU for medical school training. Katy and husband Brian have a blended family of seven children (three of Katy’s and four of Brian’s). They enjoy their family and, especially, spoiling the 12 grandchildren.
“I have always wanted to return to Louisiana, and Shreveport provides an exciting opportunity to be closer to my family,” said Wilkens. “Even more importantly, I am excited to again be surrounded by my fellow Saints fans (apologies to our Cowboy fans out there), and I’m looking forward to gardening and cooking Louisiana-style after being in Arizona for so long.”
“I am excited about this unique time for our north Louisiana ministry and the impact we can make on the patients we serve,” said T. Steen Trawick, M.D., CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System CEO. “While we continue to grow, we can be encouraged by the increased demand for CHRISTUS and the Sisters’ wonderful legacy across the region. I know I speak for every member of our team when I say we are looking forward to building on our legacy alongside Katy as we live our mission daily of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”
