Oswego Health Promotes Melissa Purtell, RN, BSN, MSN to VP of Nursing Operations

Posted on July 2, 2024

Missy Purtell

(Oswego, NY – July 2, 2024) A local nurse who has dedicated her career to Oswego Health and the community, Melissa Purtell, RN, BSN, MSN, has recently been promoted and elevated to the position of VP of Nursing Operations.

Since becoming a registered nurse in 1991, Purtell has spent her career in the nonprofit healthcare system.  She’s worn many hats, from Intensive Care Unit staff educator to Director of Intensive Care in 2010; Director of Intensive Care, Ambulatory Surgery, Post Anesthesia Care, and Pre-Admission Testing Units in 2017 to her most recent title in 2019 as Director of Nursing.

Purtell graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in nursing management and organizational leadership from the American Sentinel University in 2020 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014.

In this critical nursing leadership role as VP of Nursing Operations, Purtell will partner with Oswego Health’s executive team to provide comprehensive operational leadership and strategic clinical guidance. Her role will be pivotal in ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality care, operational efficiency, and financial stability throughout the nursing division, which consists of Medical-Surgical, Intensive Care, Emergency Department, OR/ASU/PACU, Women’s Services, Inpatient Mental Health, Clinical Supervision, Nurse Education, and Respiratory Therapy. Leveraging her 32 years of nursing expertise, Purtell will champion strategic initiatives, enhance clinical operations, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

“Missy has been instrumental in managing and leading our nursing team at Oswego Hospital,” shared Katie Pagliaroli, MS, BSN, RN, SVP of Clinical Operations & CNO. “Her dedication and commitment to the profession of nursing and patient-centered care is truly remarkable and we are very fortunate to have her at Oswego Health.”

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About Oswego Health:

The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Oswego County. As a nonprofit healthcare system established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to be Oswego County’s largest private employer. More than 1,300 employees spread throughout its 18 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community.  The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services, and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, Oswego Health includes the Oswego Health captive professional corporation, Physician Care P.C., providing physician services in orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, audiology, general surgery, bariatrics, urology, and primary care. For more information about Oswego Health visit www.oswegohealth.org.

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