RANDOLPH, Vt., January 7, 2022— A farming accident to Jill Markowski’s father while growing up in Florence, Vermont, was the inspiration behind her career in healthcare. That career now continues as Gifford’s new Vice President of Nursing. Markowski is replacing Karin Morrow, who retired at the end of last year.
Gifford Welcomes Jill Markowski DNP, MSA, RN, BC-NE as new V.P. of Nursing
“I am pleased to welcome Jill to Gifford,” Gifford President and CEO, Dan Bennett said. “Jill has a strong track record of collaborative leadership and experience leading nursing education programs. Those skills position her well to lead Gifford’s nursing teams through the challenges we face in healthcare, while ensuring Gifford’s ability to continue providing compassionate, quality health care to our communities.”
“Nurses have the precious opportunity to be part of the most impactful moments in people’s lives. We are present with the birth of a child through the death of a loved one. I believe that nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare. Not all organizations understand that, but Gifford is a gem,” Markowski said. “It’s what healthcare and nursing should be about.”
Markowski DNP, MSA, RN, BC-NE spent the last three and a half years as a professor at the Castleton University School of Nursing, serving as the Nursing School’s Chair and establishing its Masters of Science in Nursing Program. Before her work at Castleton, Jill performed several nursing leadership roles at Rutland Regional Medical Center.
“I have worked in many diverse healthcare settings from critical care, case management, and surgical services but my deepest passion has been nursing leadership,” Markowski said. “I love supporting and empowering nursing teams to provide amazing care.”
As V.P. of nursing, Markowski will provide leadership and oversight for nursing services in Gifford Medical Center departments including its inpatient and birthing center units, emergency department, nursing education, and care management.
“I believe our primary goal should be getting our front line staff engaged in the care we deliver,” Markowski said. “They’re the ones who do it every single day. So, we need to respect and appreciate what they do and have them involved in those decisions about how we can make it better.”
Markowski lives on the family farm in Florence, which still supports her show horses, donkeys and Valais Blacknose Sheep.
