For Healthcare ProfessionalsNursing Leadership Team
Nursing Leadership Team
Brian Stahulak, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer
Length of time as a leader: Nurse at Lurie Children's since 1997 functioning at various levels of leadership since 2001; Chief Nursing Officer since 2016
Education: BSN, University of Illinois at Chicago; MBA, National Louis University; DNP, Boise State University
Leadership motto: “True leaders understand that leadership is not about them but about those they serve. It is not about exalting themselves but about lifting others up.” ― Sheri L. Dew
Karen Richey, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Length of time as a leader: 30 years at Lurie Children's
Education: BSN, Ball State University; MBA, National Louis University; DNP, American Sentinel University
Carrie Alden, MSN, CPNP
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Advanced Practice Providers
Length of time as a leader: Started at Lurie Children's in 1999 as a nursing assistant; Formal leadership roles since 2011, most recently as Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Advanced Practice in 2022
Education: BSN, Lewis University; MSN, Loyola University; CPNP, Loyola University
Motto: Leadership is not a rank or position to be attained. Leadership is a service to be given.
James Dunn, MHSA, BS
Senior Director, Ambulatory Clinical Operations
Length of time as a leader: Started at Lurie Children's in 2022, has held formal leadership roles in healthcare since 2009
Education: MHSA, Central Michigan University; BS, Central Michigan University
Motto: “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning,” – Bill Gates
Diane Halfer, MSN, RNc, NEA-BC
Senior Director, Clinical & Organizational Development
Length of time as a leader: Since 1989 at Lurie Children's, since 1980 in healthcare
Education: BSN, Bradley University; MSN, Loyola University
Leadership motto: Lead well today so every tomorrow can be a vision of hope.
Johanna Mishra, BSN, M
Senior Director, Transplant Center & International and Destination Patient Services
Length of time as a leader: Since 2004 at Lurie Children’s, with the exception of three years elsewhere
Education: BSN, University of Pennsylvania; MS, Health Systems Management, Rush University
Leadership Quote: "Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Kathleen Moriarty, MSN, CCDS CCM
Senior Director, Case Management
Length of time as a leader: Since 2019 at Lurie Children’s, since 2009 in healthcare
Education: BSN, Loyola University; MSN, University of Phoenix
Leadership motto: “There are three essentials to leadership: humility, clarity and courage.”- Fuchan Yuan
John Olmstead, MSN, MBA, CNOR, FACHE
Senior Director, Surgical/Procedural Srevices
Length of time as a leader: Since 2020 at Lurie Children’s, since 1997 in healthcare.
Education: MSN, Indiana University, MBA, City University of Seattle
Leadership motto: “At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
Laura Westley, BSN, MSM, RN, C-NPT
Senior Director, Interfacility Transport, Emergency Services, Patient Access Center and Almost Home Kids
Length of time as a leader: Since 2011 at Lurie Children's, since 2006 in healthcare
Education: BSN, UW-Eau Claire; MSM, Cardinal Stritch University
Leadership motto: Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader…they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, always about the goal.