About Heather Markell, MSN, RN, CEN
Interim Chief Nursing Officer
Heather Markell serves as the interim Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Meritus Medical Center, bringing over 20 years of diverse clinical and leadership experience to the role. She has demonstrated her leadership through a variety of roles in the nursing division dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the organization. With a clinical background in emergency nursing, operations, and leadership, she most recently held the roles of Director of Clinical Operations for the Division of Nursing as well as Director of Emergency Services, Trauma, and Forensics.
Heather demonstrated measurements of success as she led transformative initiatives to establish clinical areas of care through the COVID pandemic that enhanced patient outcomes, improved operational efficiency, and supported nursing workforce. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes empowering multidisciplinary teams, promoting evidence-based practice, and aligning nursing care with strategic organizational goals.
Heather holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Executive Nurse Leadership and holds clinical Certification in Emergency Nursing. She is committed to mentoring emerging leaders, advancing professional development, and driving innovative strategies to achieve the organization’s mission of delivering exceptional care. Current memberships include American Nurses Association, Emergency Nurses Association, and Maryland Nurses Association. Her vision as CNO is rooted in achieving zero patient harm, enhancing the patient and staff experience, and ensuring the highest standards of care delivery.
Outside of work, Heather is actively involved with her husband Greg and children Madelynn and Max.