Northern Light Health welcomes Keilman as chief nursing officer

BREWER — Northern Light Health is pleased to announce that Dena Keilman, DNP, MSN, RN, has been named as chief nursing officer.

Keilman brings nearly two decades of nursing and healthcare leadership experience to Northern Light Health, most recently serving as regional chief nursing officer for the Southeast Minnesota Region of Mayo Clinic Health System. In that role, she also led ambulatory medical and surgical specialties and primary care service lines while working closely with clinical teams to advance quality, safety and patient-centered care.

Since joining Mayo Clinic Health System in 2017, Keilman has held several leadership positions, including nurse administrator for obstetrics and ambulatory surgical specialties, interim nurse administrator for surgical services and director of nursing for the Southeast Minnesota Region.

As an instructor in nursing at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Keilman is deeply committed to professional development and continuous improvement. She also served on numerous executive and clinical leadership committees across the Mayo Clinic Health System.

Keilman earned a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado, a master of science in nursing focused on Leadership in Health Care Systems from Regis University and a doctor of nursing practice in ethical leadership from Viterbo University. Her doctoral research explored professional identity in nursing.

“I am thrilled to be relocating to Maine and joining Northern Light Health. The system’s values and focus on sustainability for the future align with my goals, and I look forward to partnering with teams across the organization as we continue to deliver exceptional care together,” Keilman said.

Keilman will begin her new role on Sept. 21.