Kat Hasanovic

Healthcare offers abundant employment opportunities. Kateita (Kat) Hasanovic, MSN, RN-BC, discovered growth, opportunity, and leadership at Baptist Health by being open to new possibilities in her career pathway.

Hasanovic is the Inpatient Implementation Director on the Epic Project Team at Baptist Health. Under the leadership of Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer Stacey Johnson, MD, Baptist Health is transitioning to the Epic system to improve health data exchange and access across the hospital.

“The Epic platform will facilitate communication between providers throughout Baptist Health,” Hasanovic said. “It improves the quality of patient care by enhancing care coordination and clinical decision-making.”

Technology has changed healthcare since Hasanovic arrived at Baptist Health more than 20 years ago after graduating from West Nassau High School. Her first job involved transporting patients around the main hospital.

“At the time, I had no intention of being a nurse,” Hasanovic said. “While working in transportation, I could see there were many opportunities at the hospital. I have always been a person who strives to accomplish more.”

Hasanovic continued to work at Baptist Health after enrolling in Florida State College of Jacksonville, moving within the hospital to work as a department secretary. Initially, Hasanovic thought she would like to pursue pharmacy as a career pathway. Physician James Joyner, MD., encouraged her to consider nursing.

“Dr. Joyner said I had the personality that should be directly involved with patients,” Hasanovic said. “It was a pivotal moment in my life.”

Hasanovic earned her associates degree in nursing at FSCJ and began working as a registered nurse at Baptist Health after passing the state board examination. She worked in labor and delivery for more than 12 years, including as assistant nurse manager. During this time, she was selected for Baptist Health’s Emerging Leaders program.

“This leadership development program opened my eyes and changed my mindset,” Hasanovic said. “If your goal is to move up in an organization, you have to continue your education so that you have the knowledge to contribute to the conversation.”

With support from Baptist Health’s tuition reimbursement program, Hasanovic attended Jacksonville University and earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree focused on Nursing Administration. Doors opened to more opportunities. A colleague approached Hasanovic to consider a new position in Clinical Informatics, helping to drive the organization’s application of techniques. Hasanovic spent nearly 10 years in clinical informatics at Baptist Health, first as a specialist before a promotion to manager and then system director.

“It’s important to have a healthcare professional directing and leading IT clinical initiatives,” Hasanovic said. “Clinical informatics specialists serve as a liaison between information technology and the healthcare team, with the goal of improving the care provided to patients by making sure clinicians have the tools they need.”

Hasanovic is passionate about her career, and she encourages others to consider the tremendous opportunities in healthcare.

“Healthcare is more than doctors and nurses,” Hasanovic said. “The hospital is a city of opportunity with a need for a wide range of professionals and workers.”