Beebe welcomes Kate Bechtold as chief nurse executive

Kate Bechtold, MHA, RN, NE-BC, has joined Beebe Healthcare as senior vice president of nursing operations and chief nursing officer.

Bechtold brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, including 18 years in the role of chief nursing officer. She has worked in a variety of health systems across the country from the state of Washington to Massachusetts.

Most recently, she was senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Covenant Health System in Tewksbury, Mass. Bechtold oversaw nursing operations and other departments across three hospitals and 10 post-acute hospitals.

Bechtold will oversee and collaborate on nursing operations throughout the Beebe Healthcare system to assure clinical alignment and consistent practice across One Beebe – roles she excelled at with Covenant Health and throughout her career.

“Kate will bring focused energy to One Beebe in this new role for our health system,” said Rick Schaffner, RN, Beebe Healthcare executive vice president, chief operating officer. “It is an exciting time for Beebe as we continue to grow to serve the needs of our ever-expanding community as your Sussex County based nonprofit health system. Please join me in welcoming Kate to Team Beebe and Sussex County.”

Bechtold earned her master of science in healthcare administration from the University of Denver, and her bachelor of science from the University of Wyoming.

“I am so very excited to be a part of Beebe Healthcare,” Bechtold said. “I have been working my entire career to be part of a system of care that will be the organization of choice for an entire county. I am most excited to join a clinical team that is compassionate, dedicated, and places the patient at the center of everything they do. I am thrilled to be a part of a community that wants to be involved in the healthcare system that serves them. The work ahead will be a part of the innovation and change that the nation needs in their healthcare delivery.”