Always Inspired: CaroMont Health Senior Leaders on the Nurses Who Drive Us Forward
Nurses Week is a time to pause and reflect on the remarkable people who are the heart of CaroMont Health — those who show up every day with skill, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to those in their care. Who better to speak to that impact than the leaders who lived it themselves? Three senior executives, each with roots in direct patient care, shared their perspectives on how our nursing workforce is shaping the future of care.
Danny Wharton, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
After your years in nursing leadership, how do the nurses of CaroMont Health still inspire you?
Their unwavering commitment to patient outcomes never gets old, and it truly inspires me every day. I hear regularly from people in our community about how kind and professional our nurses were during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. That kind of consistent, compassionate and strong character is what I believe sets CaroMont Health nurses apart.
How has nursing changed during your career?
The evolution of technology has been remarkable. When I started, we didn't have smart IV pumps or anything close to the EPIC functionality we rely on today. I charted on paper for most of my bedside career. I still remember doing 24-hour chart checks on handwritten medical records during night shifts in the ICU, trying to decipher someone's handwriting at 3:00 a.m. The tools and technology we have now are exponentially more sophisticated, and they've meaningfully changed what's possible for our nurses and, most importantly, for our patients.
What do you believe is the future of nursing at CaroMont Health?
I believe the future of nursing at CaroMont Health will be defined by our resilience to an ever-changing healthcare environment. Nursing will continue to face growing demands, and that means we must remain committed to growing and evolving our skills to meet those demands. My hope is that CaroMont Health becomes a true destination for nurses. I see our organization as a place where nurses choose to build their careers, with opportunities to lead, shaping the kind of organization they're proud to be part of. I believe we are already well on our way to that reality.
Beth Canipe, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer
After your years in nursing leadership, how do the nurses of CaroMont Health still inspire you?
I am inspired every day by the care and compassion of our nurses. I see them going above and beyond to be sure patient needs are met and often being the voice for patients and families who need an advocate. I am also inspired by their ability to manage through high stress situations but never lose sight of why they care and why they chose a profession deeply rooted in service.
How has nursing changed during the course of your career?
In some ways, nursing has changed a lot since I started out in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The biggest change has been in technology, but there has also been a change in the demand for nurses to care for very complex patients and a more diverse population. Nurses have always had great impact on outcomes, but I think now more than ever, I am so proud that our nurses are leading the way for safety and quality.
What has not changed is that care and compassion are still at the core of nursing care. We will always be the most important advocates for patients and families. As long as nurses remain committed to lifelong learning and professional development, nurses will remain valuable members of the healthcare team and a driver for patient safety and quality.
What do you believe is the future of nursing at CaroMont Health?
I think the future of nursing at CaroMont Health will be very technology driven with AI having a big impact on workflows, how patient information gets into the patient’s medical record and how data is used to drive nursing care and decisions. We will need to continue to focus on staff retention and recruitment and the ongoing professional development of our nurses. Most importantly, care and compassion must stay at the forefront of our daily work because that is something that can never be replaced by technology.
Robin L. Lang, DNP, MBA, CHCIO
Vice President, Chief Information Officer
After your years in nursing leadership, how do the nurses of CaroMont Health still inspire you?
The nurses on the front lines continue to shape, steady and motivate me in ways that only real, hands‑on caregivers can. That is the true heart of caring for our patients, families and each other.
Their stories demonstrate compassion, reminding me as a leader why I chose the profession of nursing in the first place. Their actions and strength reconnect me to that purpose and mission. Compassion is contagious and they keep that flame alive! I always want to make them proud to have a fellow nurse as Chief Information Officer.
How has nursing changed during the course of your career?
Nursing today barely resembles nursing of 35 years ago when I started. The true heart of the profession remains the same, but everything around us has changed! Nursing practice has been transformed through technology and increasing complexity of care. Also, expectations are quite different and patients are much more educated about their own conditions. The world of social media has connected patients in a new way and made all facets of the nursing profession public. Nurses today must adapt faster, learn continuously and carry more responsibility than ever before. I watch my teams rise to this challenge daily, and I could not be more proud of how they continue to care.
What do you believe is the future of nursing at CaroMont Health?
The profession of nursing remains one of the most trusted, resilient and purpose‑driven professions. CaroMont Health nurses practice with great pride in how they serve our patients and the community, and they will continue to be the force that makes a difference. That will only strengthen over time. Nurses will shape their own future practice, continue to evolve into advanced roles as the demand for care increases, and they will continue to be the voice of advocacy for their patients, with more influence in shaping teams and care delivery models. Nearly 2,000 members strong, CaroMont Health nurses will lead teams that shape our future, and I will be cheering for them always! In every unit, in every role, across every specialty of the practice - they are amazing!