Biography

Kellie has worked in all aspects of Acute Care Nursing. Her RN career started at RI Hospital (RIH) in 1998 where she held positions as Medical/Surgical, Critical Care and Peri-Operative staff RN and was the Bariatric Coordinator at RIH. Lifespan merged bariatric surgery programs in 2012 and Kellie transferred to The Miriam Hospital (TMH) to the role of Bariatric Surgery Service Line Manager.

In 2007, Kellie was the first RN in RI to become a Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN). She facilitates bariatric support groups, patient & staff education, develops policy and procedures for the care of the surgical and medical bariatric patients. She has presented at local and national venues: RN/RD/Medical student presentations, Wound Care Symposium, Bariatric Coordinators of NE meetings, National Association of Bariatric Nurses, ASMBS/Obesity Week National Conferences, and Magnet Conferences. In 2010, she organized and directed the 1st Annual Bariatric Symposium at RIH and was the program planner/director for the 2012- 2014 Rhode Island Obesity Symposiums. Kellie was the race director for the Obesity Walk in 2016 in the State of RI. Aug 2021, Kellie co-authored an article in Bariatric Times related to preparing for a MBSAQIP virtual survey.

She has served on several Integrated Health (IH) committees, including holding chair and co-chair positions. She is currently the chair of the IH Abstract Committee. May 2021, Kellie was awarded the Hurvitz Quality Award (TMH) for her work revamping the bariatric surgery program to match the needs of the hospital and the patients during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The funds awarded are being used to support staff RNs, nursing supervisors and quality RN’s that work with the bariatric patients to take the CBN prep course and the CBN exam offered by the ASMBS. She is currently has leading monthly group and 1:1 sessions with these nurses.