Penn State Health names Leslyn Williamson interim chief nursing executive

Penn State Health has appointed Leslyn Williamson as interim chief nursing executive, effective today.

A highly respected health care leader with more than 30 years of experience in nursing, patient care and executive leadership, Williamson currently serves as president of Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center and Holy Spirit Medical Center. She will continue in that role while assuming oversight of nursing strategy and leadership across the health system.

Williamson joined Penn State Health in 2022 as regional chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for Hampden and Holy Spirit medical centers. Throughout her career, she has led multidisciplinary teams focused on advancing quality, patient safety and the patient experience.

“Leslyn is a proven leader who brings a deep understanding of nursing practice, patient care operations and team-based leadership,” said Kyle Snyder, president and chief operating officer of Penn State Health. “Her ability to bring people together around a shared purpose has helped strengthen collaboration across our organization. She is exceptionally well-positioned to support our nursing teams and help advance high-quality, patient-centered care across Penn State Health.”

In her leadership roles at Hampden and Holy Spirit medical centers, Williamson helped foster a strong culture by uniting teams around shared goals while preserving the unique strengths and identities of each hospital. Her experience leading change within integrated academic health systems and building strong relationships with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and labor partners will be instrumental as Penn State Health continues to strengthen systemwide collaboration.

As interim chief nursing executive, Williamson will provide strategic leadership for nursing services across Penn State Health, with a continued focus on quality, safety, workforce engagement and exceptional patient care.

“Nursing has been the foundation of my career, and I am honored to serve Penn State Health in this role during such an important time for our organization,” Williamson said. “Each experience of my career has reinforced the importance of collaboration, transparency and keeping patients at the center of every decision. I plan to bring those same principles to this role by listening closely and helping create a nursing strategy that supports our people and strengthens the care we provide to the communities we serve.”

Prior to joining Penn State Health, she held leadership positions within large academic health systems, including Montefiore and Mount Sinai.

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