NICHE appoints Jennifer Pettis as new associate director of programs

NICHE Executive Director Mattia Gilmartin has announced that Jennifer Pettis has joined the team as associate director of programs, bringing more than 25 years of healthcare experience to the program. NICHE was established in 1992 as the leading nurse-driven program designed to help hospitals and healthcare organizations improve the care of older adults.

In her new role, Pettis will oversee the success of the long-term care (LTC) program. Her LTC responsibilities will include expanding academic offerings, engaging current facilities and organizations, and seeking new relationships to expand the overall program.  She also will ensure the clinical education content and materials are consistent with national standards and enhance current strategy and goals.

Previously a nurse researcher at Abt Associates, Pettis participated in data collection, analysis, and reporting of healthcare payments, quality improvement, and quality reporting initiatives. At Abt, she served as the project director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Supportive Planning and Operations Team (SPOT) Initiative, an innovative program through which 60 nursing homes across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts receive technical assistance and training.  In addition, she served as a subject matter expert and developed and delivered education material for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Post-Acute Care Training project. Pettis has extensive clinical, managerial, consulting, and training experience, including as a consultant to the Division of Nursing Homes (DNH) at CMS. 

Pettis currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for SUNY Empire State College School of Nursing. She is a board member of the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO) and the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York as well as a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA), ANA-NY, and the New York State Auxiliary Board for Nursing. She is also the current president of the Tau Kappa At-Large Chapter of Sigma, the Honor Society for Nursing.