Hometown Spirit — Jennifer Quilty, DNP, APRN, Chief Clinical Officer, Orlando Health Medical Group

An Orlando native, Jennifer Quilty grew up knowing about the excellent reputation of the Orlando Health hospital system — specifically, the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Jennifer wanted to pursue nursing at a children’s hospital, and she started working at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer shortly after graduating from college.

Nearly two decades later, Jennifer is still caring for children, and Orlando Health Arnold Palmer has fostered much of her growth along the way. When she had the opportunity to move from nurse practitioner at Orlando Health to an administrator, Jennifer took the chance. She knew the new position would be rooted in the same philosophy she found so rewarding and motivating in the first place: a patient-first attitude, supportive employee culture and teamwork ethic. 

“I love helping people, especially children,” she says.

What is the best part of her job now? Jennifer works with many clinicians and leaders across Orlando Health, but she cherishes helping nurses succeed. 

“I really enjoy supporting nurses who are seeking to grow in their career paths, along with the continued expansion of services we offer — not just in Central Florida, but beyond.” 

For those who are just starting out as a bedside nurse, Jennifer’s advice is to learn as much as possible on the job. 

“That knowledge will become the basis of the rest of your nursing career, since at Orlando Health we’re centered around a patient-first, quality care philosophy,” she says. New nurses should also foster strong relationships with peers, providers, ancillary staff and others in the area where they work. “Everyone plays an important role in the entire process of patient care,” Jennifer says.