Improving population health and well-being in academic institutions and health care systems with the Chief Wellness Officer: A vital yet untapped nursing leadership role.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is an epidemic of chronic conditions throughout the world. Although the majority of chronic disease can be prevented, the U.S. invests so little of its healthcare spending in wellness and prevention. Nurses are an ideal profession to lead a needed paradigm shift as chief wellness officers (CWOs). PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to describe the role of the CWO in improving population health and well-being in universities and health systems. METHODS: An example of how the CWO role was implemented at a large public land grant university is provided. The socioecological model and life course perspective was adopted as the framework to guide an ambitious wellness strategic plan using an evidence-based quality improvement strategy. DISCUSSION: The CWO is a vital leadership role in today's institutions of higher learning and health systems. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for nurses to step up into these impactful CWO positions.