September 2, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 1)
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.
This article was last edited on August 28, 2025 at 3:43 p.m.
Adrienne Wallace said meeting students "in the messy middle" distinguishes teaching as a profession, rather than a job.
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