The 35-year veteran will lead nursing services across the academic medical center.
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has appointed Wendi Goodson-Celerin, DNP, APRN, NE-BC, to the position of senior vice president and chief nursing officer. A nurse executive with 35 years of advancing nursing practice, leadership, patient care, and advocacy, Goodson-Celerin will be responsible for leading all nursing services across Tampa General with a focus on further developing cross-functional collaboration among nursing teams throughout hospital departments.
“Wendi is an integral part of Tampa General and has spent the past 35 years playing a critical role in advocating the professionalism of nurses, as well as the growth and development of our nursing teams,” said Kelly Cullen, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Tampa General. “Her outstanding communication abilities, exemplary collaboration skills, and proven leadership style will continue to drive strategic nursing innovation at Tampa General that prioritizes compassion, integrity, respect and accountability.”
Goodson-Celerin joined Tampa General in 1988 as a clinical nurse and has served many roles over the past three decades, including vice president of Patient Services; vice president of Neuroscience, Orthopaedics and Clinical Education; director of Acute Surgical Inpatient, Critical Care and Clinical Education; director of Women’s & Children’s services and Clinical Education; director of Nursing Education; and clinical nurse manager. Most recently, Goodson-Celerin served as interim chief nursing officer.
Goodson-Celerin will continue to use her expertise in leading the Magnet nursing recognition process to help Tampa General continue to meet the rigorous standards of earning the highest national honor in professional nursing practice. Granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Magnet recognition is a rigorous process that provides a roadmap to nursing excellence. Tampa General has achieved Magnet recognition four consecutive times since 2005. As a Magnet expert and ambassador, Goodson-Celerin will play a critical role in preparing for Tampa General’s next Magnet site visit later this year.
“I am honored to achieve this role at Tampa General, where I’ve spent more than three decades serving patients and delivering high-quality and compassionate care to those in need,” said Goodson-Celerin. “As chief nursing officer, I want to ensure our incredible nursing team members have the ongoing training, mentorship and leadership development they need to grow and succeed.”
Goodson-Celerin earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of South Florida in Tampa. She has received several awards, including the Excellence in Management Leadership Award, the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award, the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award, and the Florida Organization Nurse Executives award. Goodson-Celerin has been or currently serves as a member of many health care and professional leadership organizations.
Source: Tampa General Hospital
