HSS Appoints Anne Marie McDonald New Chief Nursing Executive

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the nation's leading academic medical center specializing in musculoskeletal health, has appointed Anne Marie McDonald, EdD, RN, FACHE, CPHQ, as Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive (CNE). HSS is ranked #1 in Orthopedics for the 16th consecutive year and is the first hospital in New York State-and among fewer than one-half of one percent of hospitals nationwide-to earn Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the profession's highest honor, six times in a row.

As HSS continues to expand its clinical footprint and influence, strengthening enterprise Nursing and clinical leadership remains a strategic priority to ensure consistent quality, patient safety, and operational excellence across the system.

"We are confident that under Anne Marie's leadership, HSS will continue to advance Magnet-level excellence, improve clinical quality and patient-centered outcomes, and drive growth with discipline and distinction," said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA,president and CEO, and Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus, at HSS. "Her appointment to this new role reflects our commitment to fostering visionary leadership that strengthens our nursing practice and elevates the patient experience."

In this role, Dr. McDonald will provide strategic leadership for Nursing across all sites and affiliates, with accountability for nursing quality, patient safety, workforce engagement, and the consistent application of HSS standards of care. In addition, she will oversee key clinical support services, including Pharmacy, Respiratory Therapy, and Laboratory Services, further strengthening system integration, performance management, and patient experience. Since September of 2025, Dr. McDonald has served as Interim CNE.

"Nursing is the foundation of our success, shaping every aspect of the patient experience and redefining excellence in musculoskeletal care," said Mary E. Cassai, MPA, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our nurses are innovators, advocates, and leaders who set the standard for quality, compassion, and collaboration across the enterprise-ensuring every patient receives care that is exceptional, transformative, and centered on their needs."

Dr. McDonald is a Registered Nurse with more than 20 years of experience across clinical operations, quality, performance improvement, and regulatory compliance. She has deep expertise in federal quality programs and accreditation and represents HSS on national advisory groups supporting CMS and The Joint Commission. A registered nurse, she holds her master's degree and doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also served as adjunct faculty. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the New York Academy of Medicine. "HSS is setting the standard for musculoskeletal health, and I am excited to help lead this next chapter of growth and innovation," said Dr. McDonald. "Together, we will empower our nursing teams, drive advancements in care delivery, and shape the future of health with purpose and impact."

At HSS the Chief Nursing Executive leads a team of more than 1,500 specialized nurses across the continuum of care at locations in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Florida, overseeing support and advocacy for nursing quality, patient safety, nurse engagement, physician collaboration, and patient satisfaction. HSS is a recipient of the Press Ganey Pinnacle of Excellence Award®, which is based on patient surveys that include measures such as "Likelihood to Recommend," "Overall Rating," and "Teamwork."

"We are proud of the strides HSS has made in nursing excellence and patient care, and we embrace both the responsibility and the opportunity to continue raising the bar," said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, surgeon-in-chief and medical director at HSS. "Anne Marie exemplifies our core values at the highest level, helping us fulfill our purpose of helping every person live the life they love through the power of movement."

Dr. McDonald's new role at HSS is effective immediately.