Marilyn Chow
Marilyn P. Chow, PhD, RN, FAAN is best known for pioneering innovations in nurses’ work; their learning; and their leadership in health systems, policy, and practice. Her leadership has spanned practice, policy, academic, and professional organizations. Her exemplary career evinces the power of commitment to nursing, collaboration, diversity, and health equity. Recently retired from her role as Vice President of National Patient Care Services and Innovation at Kaiser Permanente (KP), she is Professor of Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Dr. Chow has been at the forefront of national issues ranging from workforce, community health, quality, credentialing, innovation and technology. Her significant accomplishments are numerous, and a few are highlighted here. She was a pioneer in the education and credentialing of Advanced Practice Nurses (APN), and co-authored the landmark reference textbook, Handbook of Pediatric Primary Care. She secured funding for an HIV/AIDS train-the-trainer program that became a model for the country. She also facilitated ANA’s development of nursing quality indicators and measures, and their impact on patient outcomes.
Her research and innovation in the care setting has been uniquely transformative. She was co-investigator in a groundbreaking national time and motion study that documented how medical-surgical nurses spent their time. This led to the proclamation for change endorsed by health systems across the U.S. She was the driving force in creating KP’s Garfield Innovation Center, a unique clinical simulation laboratory developing and testing innovations that rethink provision of better care. She also spearheaded the KP national nursing electronic health record (EHR) collaborative of 38 hospitals, and co-led development of an EHR nursing information data model between KP and the VA.
Dr. Chow’s career also reflects her understanding that nursing’s leadership and diversity are crucial to its effectiveness. She led and guided development of state and national coalitions addressing key workforce issues, including ethnic minority issues. She also served as the inaugural Program Director for the RWJ Foundation’s Executive Nurse Fellows Program. The impact of this role is seen in the work of alumni around the country.
Dr. Chow’s other leadership roles include her position first as commissioner and then President of the San Francisco Social Services Commission, overseeing a budget of $280 million for entitlement programs. She has served on numerous national boards and advisory committees, including The Joint Commission, Joint Commission Resources, the American Academy of Nursing, and the USDHHS National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice. She currently serves on the Strategic Advisory Committee for the AARP/RWJF Center to Champion Nursing in America.
Reflecting her contributions, Dr. Chow’s numerous honors and awards include her selection as an American Academy of Nursing Living Legend in 2018; American Organization of Nurse Executives 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award; the national Nurse.com 2011 Nursing Excellence, National Nurse of the Year Award; and her selection as one of the UCSF School of Nursing distinguished 100 graduates and faculty for its Centennial Wall of Fame.
Dr. Chow received her Baccalaureate, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the UCSF School of Nursing.