Nettie Wilson joined the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross as Chief Operating Officer on August 19. In this role, Nettie oversees the day-to-day operations of staff and volunteers within the region. Nettie previously served as the clinical operations manager at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, leading the emergency department and pediatric forensic nursing teams.
As Nettie joins the Indiana Region, we asked her a few questions to get to know her better, both in and outside of work. Check it out!
What drew you to the Red Cross?
My sole purpose in life is to serve others. It’s what drew me to be a nurse, to work at Riley Hospital, and to now be able to serve in an even bigger way and capacity with the Red Cross. Our missions align perfectly.
Why are you excited to join the Indiana Region team?
I’ve followed the great work of the Indiana Region for a while now on social media and in news stories, and I can’t wait to be a part of it. I am so looking forward to getting to know the team better and understanding how I can help them to better serve our local communities.
What was your prior work experience and how will it help you in your new role?
I have been a nurse for over 18 years, so I feel very connected to the Red Cross in many ways already. From being an organization founded by a nurse recognizing the greater need in her community, to being able to give my own patients many life-saving blood products the Red Cross has collected, nursing has prepared me for the clinical aspects and recognizing needs in our very own community. I spent the past seven years as a clinical operations leader. This work connected my passion for nursing and helping patients and those we serve to the behind-the-scenes operations. Our care and services we provide are not possible without a strong team and strong assets provided through solid and sound operations.
What are you looking forward to with your new role?
I am looking forward to so much in my new role! I want to learn as much as possible about the Red Cross. I want to meet the people doing the great work being done and hear firsthand about our strengths and opportunities. I want to align my focus to make improvements in the operations of the Red Cross and better understand where to focus our efforts first.
What are your passions outside of work?
My family. They bring me joy in all we do, which is mostly baseball with 2 young boys, but I love watching their passion for the sport. I am so looking forward to being a part of volunteer work again. It is something that has always brought me happiness.
Thanks Nettie, we loved getting to know you better. Welcome to the Indiana Region!