OSF HealthCare is excited to announce new additions to the leadership teams at both OSF
HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana and OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville, in the
position of vice president and chief nursing officer.
Deborah McCarter, RN, DNP, has accepted the position of vice president and chief nursing officer for OSF Heart of Mary
beginning December 28. McCarter joins OSF HealthCare from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where she
served as assistant vice president of Patient Services.
Julie Welch, RN, MSN, has accepted the position of vice president and chief nursing officer for OSF Sacred Heart
beginning January 11, 2021. Welch has been with OSF HealthCare since 2016, most recently as the director of Children’s
Care Services at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
In this role, McCarter and Welch will be accountable for leading the nursing operations to achieve key results and drive
superior clinical outcomes. Together with other members of the leadership teams, they will establish quality standards
and develop policies and procedures for the nursing staff. McCarter and Welch will ensure adequate staffing levels are
maintained through the development of continuing education programs.
“I’m really excited for both Julie and Deborah to join the chief nursing executive counsel,” said Lori Wiegand, chief
nursing officer for OSF HealthCare. “They both bring a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be crucial in helping
OSF HealthCare continue to provide excellent, patient centered care that focuses on quality and safety.”
McCarter earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Ball State University in Indiana. She went on to receive both her
Master of Science in nursing administration and Doctorate of Nursing from Indiana University School of Nursing.
Welch received her nursing degree from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing. She went on to earn her Master
of Science in nursing from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
Welch and McCarter’s appointments follow the passing of Molly Nicholson, RN, DNP, who served as the vice president and
chief nursing officer for both hospitals under a combined hospital administration. The hospital administrations have since
separated, allowing each respective administration to focus on the unique needs of the individual communities they serve.