Dr. Kelly Watson is currently serving as the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Vermont. She is board certified in healthcare management through the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and is currently serving as the ACHE Regent for the state of Vermont. Prior to moving to Vermont in 2022, Dr. Watson served on healthcare executive teams in both the Denver and Los Angeles markets. Dr. Watson served as a healthcare leader for over a decade, and her participation on leadership teams has contributed to the forward movement of several organizations by implementing strategic initiatives that have led to high-quality outcomes and enhanced access to care. She and her husband have three boys and enjoy hiking, skiing, and traveling.

Dr. Watson earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Regis University; her Master of Health Administration at the University of Southern California; and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Regis University. Among her many accomplishments, she was a Fellow at the American College of Healthcare Executives; an Ex-Officio Board Member at ACHE of Northern New England Chapter, ACHE District 1Regent, Vermont; a Chairperson for the Vermont State University Nursing Advisory Council; and a 2024-2025 Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellow through Penn Nursing and The Wharton School.