Hickey Appointed Chief Operating Officer for BW/F

Mairead Hickey

After an extensive national search, Mairead Hickey, PhD, RN, FAHA, was appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospitals.

“As chief nursing officer, I have been able to focus on each aspect of our hospital’s mission in a discipline-specific way,” said Hickey, who has served as BWH’s chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services since 2005. “I see this new role as a wonderful extension of that work. I now have the privilege to collaborate with staff and leadership throughout the institution to achieve the mission that is so important to all of us: providing the best and safest care to patients and families, generating new knowledge through research, training our future care providers and extending our services to the broader community.”

In the last five years, Hickey has worked closely with hundreds of clinical nurses, nursing leaders and hospital leadership to cultivate a strategic vision for the department that advances the practice of nursing and compassionate care to patients and families and supports clinical development and research efforts. In addition, she led Patient Care Services and the hospital in establishing a philosophy and model for patient- and family-centered care that are woven into the fabric of the organization.

“Mairead has been a key member of the executive management team and a positive role model for the entire BW/F community,” said BWH President Betsy Nabel, MD. “Her dedication to excellence and her warmth and collaborative spirit are inspiring to all who work with her.”

Just as Hickey focused on listening to the voices of all nurses, she intends to seek input of employees at every level in each department throughout the hospital. “The forthcoming results of the Employee Opinion Survey will help to shape our work,” she said. “I will endeavor tirelessly to make this the best place possible for all staff so they can do their best to enhance and build upon each dimension of our mission.”

Hickey noted that the evolving health care climate and health care reform will also steer some of the hospital’s work. “We need to be open to change and continue to ensure patients and families receive the best and safest care in the most efficient way possible,” she said. “I am confident that our leadership team will make decisions that position the institution for success well into the future.”

Hickey’s commitment to the success of the Brigham began at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, where she became a clinical nurse and instructor upon graduating from Boston College. After earning a master’s degree from Boston University, she completed her PhD and became an associate professor and chairperson of the Graduate Program for clinical nurse specialists at Yale University School of Nursing.

Hickey returned to BWH in 1992 to create the Nursing Research Program, and, through 1999, she held leadership positions in Patient Care Services, Research and Outcome Measurement and Quality Management Services. In 1999, she was named vice president of Women’s Health and Specialty Services.

“This institution and the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with are very special to me,” said Hickey, adding that she grew up hearing about the Brigham from her mother, who attended Peter Bent Brigham School of Nursing. “I’m incredibly proud of this institution and am confident I can continue to make an impact across the institution that fosters our goals of patient- and family-centered care, research, teaching and commitment to our community.”

Hickey will assume her new role Sept. 1. Information will be forthcoming regarding a transition plan for Nursing and Patient Care Services.