Pappas comes to Emory from Centura Health in Denver, Colorado, where she currently serves as the system’s chief nurse executive and the chief nursing officer for Porter Adventist Hospital, one of the health system’s hospitals. Centura comprises 15 hospitals, 12 hospital affiliates, ambulatory practices, home care and urgent care. In her role as CNE, Pappas oversees the nursing practice, education, informatics, research and operations for more than 5,500 nurses.
"Sharon has the ideal background, leadership and vision to propel the Emory Healthcare nursing practice forward," says Jonathan S. Lewin, MD, president, CEO and chairman of the board for Emory Healthcare. "Her experience in nursing leadership, operations management and innovation match the needs and direction of our organization’s nursing structure. We are pleased she is joining our team."
Pappas received her BSN from the Medical College of Georgia, her MSN from Georgia College and her PhD in nursing from the University of Colorado.
She has been part of the Centura system since 1991 in a variety of leadership roles. Her accomplishments during her tenure are many, including: Implementation of care coordination across ambulatory and acute settings, leading the framework and practice development for population health, establishing the nursing executive residency, leading the nursing team to Magnet® designation and redesignation, and achieving high nursing, physician and patient satisfaction.
Prior to that, Pappas worked at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. Originally from Canton, Georgia, Pappas looks forward to returning to her roots and being a part of the Emory Healthcare leadership team.