Laurie Athans Appointed Chief Nursing Officer at Golisano Children’s Hospital
When Laurie Athans, DNP, RN, CNL, CCRN-K, talks about her vision for care at Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH), it starts—ironically—with a desire to admit fewer patients.
“I wish children didn’t have to come to the hospital,” she says. “The reality is some will, and we’ll always be there for them. But we should also ask what we can do outside these four walls to improve their health.”
It’s an outlook shaped by more than two decades of bedside care and a belief that clinicians can make the greatest impact by working proactively with families and communities to help children thrive at home, in school, and beyond.
That philosophy aligns closely with GCH’s mission to help all children reach their full potential. Athans will now lead that charge as the new Chief Nursing Officer, transitioning from her interim role and succeeding longtime nursing leader Sue Bezek. Known for her collaborative style and deep connection with staff, Athans steps into the role at a time when nursing leadership is increasingly intertwined with community partnerships, prevention, and whole-child health.
A desire to improve lives drew Athans to nursing from her original career in engineering. Twenty-five years ago, she was designing packaging for a national food and beverage company in Connecticut when a family health crisis revealed how profoundly nurses can shape a patient’s experience. After moving back to the Rochester area with her husband and young children, she earned her nursing degree at Finger Lakes Community College, joined the Pediatric ICU right out of school, and—by her own account—“never left pediatrics.” As opportunities arose, she advanced through unit and hospital leadership while continuing her education, finding that each step widened her ability to influence care.
As CNO, Athans wants to build capacity to meet the evolving needs of child health, noting rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and mental-health concerns. “I’m proud of how our teams have stepped up for kids’ behavioral health, but demand continues to grow,” she said. “We have to keep leveraging programs and coordination so families don’t fall through the cracks.”
To address these challenges, Athans plans to strengthen community partnerships, expand preventive-care outreach through initiatives like the Mobile Health Clinic (launching 2026) and school-based telemedicine programs, and tackle the social factors that influence children’s well-being—from nutrition and physical activity to behavioral health. “I’m looking forward to interfacing with the community and learning how to best improve access to comprehensive care,” she said. “Are children getting everything they need to thrive, and if not, how can we help close those gaps?”
For Athans, the work also comes full circle. Her background in engineering, once worlds apart from nursing, has shaped her leadership philosophy: go to the source, learn the process, and co-design solutions with the people doing the work. “When people understand the ‘why’ and know they’re heard, change sticks,” she said.
“Laurie has earned enormous respect across GCH for her steady leadership, insight, and genuine care for our teams,” said Jill Halterman, MD, MPH, Physician-in-Chief of GCH. “She combines systems thinking with a deep compassion for patients and staff—a combination that will help move our mission forward both inside the hospital and in the broader community.”
“Laurie’s collaborative approach and openness to feedback have stood out throughout her interim role,” said Kate Valcin, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, Chief Nursing Executive for URMC. “She has been an exceptional colleague in addressing opportunities and driving improvements, and I look forward to continuing our work together as she assumes this new role.”
Outside of work, Athans recharges through travel, reading, and time with family. “Seeing new places and cultures changes how you look at the world,” she said. “I come back more curious—and more appreciative of differences.”
