Perioperative Nurse Educator of Quality and Informatics
Hartford Hospital
Cassandra has been a Registered Nurse since 2016. She began her career in the operating room of the ambulatory surgery department for Hartford Hospital, a level 1 Trauma Center. She specialized in ambulatory surgery procedures across multiple service lines and sought continued growth in her profession. In 2020, Cassandra was awarded Hartford Hospital’s Nightingale Award for Nursing Excellence for her dedication, care, and leadership within the service line for Ear, Nose, and Throat procedures. She went on to complete and receive her Certificate for Certified Nurse of the Operating Room later that year. Cassandra serves on Hartford Hospital’s Nursing Council and is the co-chair of the Nursing Professional Development Council, focusing on mentoring nurses and supporting the advancement through the clinical ladder.
Cassandra is now working in a leadership role in the perioperative department as the Nurse Educator of Quality and Informatics. She completed her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management with a focus on Organizational Excellence in October 2022. Cassandra is also an active member of AORN, currently in the role of president for the state chapter. She is the legislative committee chair, and has fulfilled a past role as chapter secretary. Cassandra is also a member of AORN’s National Nursing Informatics Committee. As an active member of CT Nurses Association, Cassandra serves as a member of their government relations committee and participates in the state-wide nursing organization roundtable to connect and support nurses all across the profession.
Her latest passion project was engaging and educating state legislators and local leaders on the dangers of surgical smoke for patients and perioperative staff. Her advocacy was the foundation for the passage of legislation in the 2022 session which will protect perioperative team members and patients from the dangers of inhaling surgical smoke.