Nurse Kelli Sadler Named First-Ever System Chief Nursing Executive at Corewell Health

Corewell Health has named Kelli Sadler as its first-ever system chief nursing executive, a newly created position that makes her one of the most influential nursing leaders in Michigan. Sadler, who holds an MHA, BSN, and RN, will oversee nursing priorities, clinical excellence, and workforce sustainability across the entire Corewell Health system.

The appointment is significant not just for Corewell but for the nursing profession as a whole. Creating a system-level chief nursing executive role signals that one of the Midwest's largest health systems sees nursing leadership as essential to its strategic direction. Sadler will lead more than 16,000 nurses across 21 hospitals and over 300 outpatient locations throughout Michigan.

Sadler will be based in Corewell's Grand Rapids and Southfield offices and will work closely with physician leadership and regional nursing leaders to align nursing priorities with systemwide clinical strategies.

From Bedside Nurse to the Boardroom

Sadler's career trajectory reads like a roadmap for nurses who aspire to executive leadership. She started as a bedside nurse before progressing through roles as a nursing supervisor, assistant nurse manager, corporate manager for risk management, and nursing director. She went on to serve as vice president and market chief nursing officer at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, before joining Corewell Health East as chief nursing officer in January 2023.

Her educational background reflects a commitment to continuous growth. Sadler earned her associate degree in nursing from Gaston College, her bachelor's degree in nursing from Winston-Salem State University, and her Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer University in 2014.

Beyond clinical settings, Sadler serves in leadership and advisory roles with academic institutions including Sigma Theta Tau International through Wayne State University and the University of Detroit Mercy College of Health Professionals, where she supports nursing education and workforce development.

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What Corewell Health Leadership Is Saying

Corewell Health's chief operating officer, Chad Tuttle, praised the appointment in the official announcement, calling Sadler a "nurse's nurse" who champions "meaningful advancements in care." Tuttle said Sadler "will elevate the expertise of more than 16,000 nurses across our system" and that her leadership embodies the "compassionate, collaborative leadership that fuels our pursuit of making health better."

The creation of this role also comes at a time when rising labor costs remain a major challenge for the 60,000-plus employee system. Having a system-level nursing executive could help Corewell coordinate workforce strategies, strengthen its nursing pipeline through university partnerships, and improve nurse retention across all of its facilities.

In her previous role leading nursing in Southeast Michigan, Sadler spearheaded initiatives to strengthen clinical quality, advance nursing innovation, and improve patient safety, while also building collaborative partnerships with colleges and universities to develop the nursing pipeline.

What Nurses Need to Know

This appointment matters for nurses well beyond Michigan. When a major health system creates a brand-new C-suite nursing role, it sends a clear message: nursing leadership is not optional, it is strategic. For the 16,000 nurses at Corewell Health, this means they now have a dedicated advocate at the highest levels of organizational decision-making, someone whose career started at the bedside and who understands the challenges of frontline nursing.

The trend of health systems elevating nursing leadership roles is one worth watching. As hospitals across the country grapple with staffing shortages, burnout, and retention challenges, having a system-level nursing executive focused on workforce sustainability could become the standard rather than the exception. Sadler's career path, from bedside nurse to system chief nursing executive, also serves as a powerful reminder that clinical nursing experience can lead to the most influential leadership positions in healthcare.

For nurses considering leadership roles, Sadler's trajectory highlights the importance of advanced education, cross-functional experience, and academic partnerships in building a path to the top.