Retired Chief Nurse Executive, State of Michigan
Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award
2015
Bio:
An untiring advocate for improved healthcare delivery and nursing professionalism, Klemczak was appointed Michigan’s first Chief Nurse Executive in 2004 and served as a special advisor to Governor Jennifer Granholm (2004-2010). Through the years, she continued to be a healthcare leader on the state level and currently holds the title of Director of Healthcare Talent for the Workforce Development Agency for the State of Michigan. In addition, she is an assistant professor of Nursing at Michigan State University, and principal of Klemczak Consultation which provides healthcare workforce consulting.
Klemczak holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, earning her B.S.N. from Mercy College in 1965 and her M.S.N. from Wayne State University in 1972. She also has the distinction of being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) based on her leadership and accomplishments.
As chairperson of the Michigan Nurses Association Political Action Committee, Klemczak has been an influential representative of the nursing perspective on healthcare at the local, state and national levels. Recognized for her innovative problem-solving skills and strong support of nursing education, she successfully led the Michigan Nursing Corps in securing additional state funding to be used for training to help meet the growing nursing shortage.
Klemczak also serves on the Michigan State University College of Nursing’s Board of Visitors and was instrumental in leading MSU to host the Michigan Health Policy Forum. She also serves on the Michigan Action Coalition Steering Committee for the Michigan Center for Nursing. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Carol E. Franck Nursing Leadership Award, jointly presented by the Michigan Nurses Association and MSU College of Nursing. She has also received alumni awards from UDM, Wayne State University and Michigan State University.
Distinguished graduate of Mercy College of Detroit, College of Health Professions, Jeanette Klemczek was honored with the Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award on April 17, 2015.
Citation:
An untiring advocate for improved healthcare delivery and nursing professionalism, Jeanette Wrona Klemczak has had a distinguished career as a registered nurse, nursing educator and leader in Michigan’s healthcare industry.
She was appointed Michigan’s first Chief Nurse Executive in 2004 and served as a special advisor to Governor Jennifer Granholm for six years. An expert on nursing and healthcare issues, she provided strategic and policy direction for Michigan’s 650,000 healthcare workers.
As chairperson of the Michigan Nurses Association Political Action Committee, she has been an influential representative of the nursing profession at local, state and national levels, providing testimony and briefings to the Michigan Legislature on numerous occasions.
Recognized for her innovative problem-solving skills and strong support of nursing education, she successfully led the Michigan Nursing Corps in securing additional state funding to address the growing nursing shortage. Highly respected for her medical expertise and skilled leadership, she was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.