Karen Watts, MSN, R.N.
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer

Karen Watts, MSN, R.N., became vice president and chief nursing officer in 2007. In 2008, her title was changed to senior vice president. She is responsible for the oversight of nursing clinical practice, patient safety, nursing professional development, and other nursing support functions.

Watts began her career at Memorial University Medical Center (MUMC) as a staff nurse in the surgical and critical care unit in 1977. She was later promoted to nurse manager of the ICU. She worked as director of critical care services at another hospital from 1988 to 1992 and then returned to MUMC as assistant director of neuroscience services. Since then, Watts has served as director of patient care services, business administration, the Institute for Clinical Effectiveness, and as executive director of operations at MUMC. She helped the medical center earn recognition as one of the safest hospitals in the country. She was also instrumental in helping MUMC earn awards for its stroke and cardiac care. Memorial gave Watts a Nursing Leadership Excellence Award and named her a Champion of Healthcare Innovation.

Watts earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.