Charlene Aaron has been named president for Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing and Saint Anthony College of Nursing. Her new position begins July 5, 2023. (Photo provided by OSF HealthCare)
From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — OSF HealthCare has named a new leader for Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing in Peoria and Saint Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford.

Charlene Aaron will take over as president of the colleges on July 5.

Aaron most recently served as chancellor and professor at HSHS St. John’s College of Nursing in Springfield, and she previously worked as an assistant professor at the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University.

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She has served in both clinical and educational capacities throughout her career, and said she is passionate about nursing care, education, leadership and especially the practice of supporting caregivers of persons with dementia.

“I am looking forward to joining OSF HealthCare, and growing more nurses throughout central and northern Illinois,” Aaron said in a news release. “My passion and experience in nursing care, education and innovation will assist me in meeting this goal, while positively impacting the health care of the people living in these communities.”

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Aaron earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Science in Nursing from the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University. She then earned a Ph.D in nursing in aging from the University of Iowa.

“I’m excited to work with all OSF Mission Partners, and interacting with stakeholders within the communities,” she said. “It’s an exciting time in nursing education to develop the next generation of health care leaders.”

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