Four questions with Leanne Mauriello

September 2, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 1)

Leanne Mauriello stands in front of an office door

Leanne Mauriello joined GVSU in July as the executive director of the Bonnie Wesorick Center for Health Care Transformation.

Leanne Mauriello joined GVSU in July as the executive director of the Bonnie Wesorick Center for Health Care Transformation, housed in the Kirkhof College of Nursing. Through collaboration and research, the center hopes to discover ways of approaching care that positively impact U.S. health care systems.

Mauriello brings an entrepreneurship lens to the position. Below, she discusses new opportunities for students and the community to be involved in the center.

What attracted you to apply for this position?
We are at a moment when health care leaders are navigating more challenges and change than ever before: from tighter budgets and staffing shortages to evolving payment models and increasing competition. At the same time, our system is constrained by a model that too often focuses on "sick care" rather than true health care. In this environment, those leading and delivering care need support more than ever.

That is what attracted me to the Wesorick Center. I saw the opportunity to lead as an honor and privilege — a chance to stand alongside the people on the front lines of health care. Now, after nearly two months in this role, I am eager to roll up my sleeves and support health care students and professionals through education, skill-building and peer connection, so that they are not only prepared but can thrive, embrace and lead through this unprecedented transformation.

Will KCON students have opportunities to be involved?
Students absolutely will have the opportunity to be involved in the Wesorick Center, and not only nursing students, but those in other health sciences and even non-health disciplines. This fall, I am leading strategic planning efforts to identify specific opportunities and offerings for students and health care professionals. In the meantime, students who are interested in developing skills or conducting research related to health care transformation are encouraged to send me an email at [email protected].

What are your initial impressions about GVSU and its community?
My initial impressions of GVSU could not be more positive. Before taking this role, I had only limited interaction with the university, but from the moment I arrived, the leadership of the Kirkhof College of Nursing and the broader GVSU community extended an incredibly warm welcome. I already feel as though I am working alongside not only friends, but also exceptionally smart, talented and creative colleagues, which makes me even more excited about the work ahead.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
In my free time, you can usually find me with my three teenage boys: cheering them on at sporting events, sharing meals or winding down with a reality cooking show. I also cherish daily walks with our high-energy Aussiedoodle, a recent addition to the family. I love being outdoors, especially in the summer, whether it’s relaxing on our deck, reading by the pool or spending time along the Lakeshore.