Hunter Announced as New RMC Director of Nursing

Roosevelt Medical Center proudly announces Karla Hunter, of Sidney, as the new Director of Nursing following her recent promotion.

Hunter's career in healthcare spans over 22 years. Prior to becoming the director of nursing, she managed the clinic downstairs as the director, overseeing a staff of seven. Prior to becoming the DON, she had already taken on some of those management duties after RMC's previous DON relocated. Those duties included overseeing the infection control program as well as the internal pharmacy.

"My immediate goal is to develop a collaborative and efficient workplace paying specific attention to the quality of care we provide and ways we can continue to improve. I am excited to be part of the continual process of commitment to quality that is fundamental to healthcare. Through much of my education I have worked on many projects and have ideas I want to implement that will continue to align us with the very best practices in patient care," Hunter said.

Hunter joined RMC in 2014 as a clinic staff nurse and then became the clinic director in 2015. Pursuing a graduate degree in 2020, she transferred upstairs to work as a floor nurse before accepting the director of nursing position. She has worked in many areas of nursing including long-term care, obstetrics, surgery, in-patient psychiatry, in the clinical setting and in management.

She earned her Master's Degree in Nursing Leadership and Management in 2018 from Western Governor's University and her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 2017. She earned her Licensed Practicing Nursing Degree in 1999 from North Dakota State College, Wahpeton, ND.

"I look forward to further developing and implementing programs to help our nursing staff continue to innovate and align with our mission of providing quality care that is personalized and patient-centered," said Hunter.

As the DON, she will oversee an in-house and traveling nursing staff of 24 and join the facilities 10-member management team. Her immediate goal is to recruit in-house nursing staff and utilize less traveling nurses.

Indirectly, Hunter has been familiar with the director of nursing position for many years. Her mother, Brenda French, served as the DON for 15-years before retiring. Today, as a part-time floor nurse, French will work alongside her daughter. "I think it's an honor to work in the same position my mother did for so many years. She will be a great resource and will provide a wealth of knowledge as I take on this challenge," she added.

Hunter has served on many internal committees including the Orientation, Quality Improvement, Community Needs Assessment and the Antibiotic Steering Committee. She also managed a new chronic care management program and integrated behavioral health program. She was recognized as Employee of the Quarter in 2018.