Kate Pawlowski, DNP, RN-BC, CCM, NC-BC, has built a career defined by leadership in care management, with expertise in patient-centered practices and organizational strategy that has guided teams across diverse health care settings. Known for her ability to balance operational efficiency with compassionate care, she has consistently advanced patient outcomes while supporting the professional growth of those she leads. Her progression through leadership roles reflects a commitment to excellence and an ability to drive meaningful change within complex systems.
Dr. Pawlowski’s academic background has been central to her professional journey. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice in nursing systems leadership from Chamberlain University, graduating summa cum laude. She previously completed a master’s degree in healthcare leadership at Chamberlain with magna cum laude honors and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the same institution, also magna cum laude. Her academic path began with a bachelor’s degree from the Community College of Rhode Island, which laid the groundwork for her pursuit of advanced study.
As director of health care services at Molina Healthcare Inc., Dr. Pawlowski manages staff, oversees compliance with National Committee for Quality Assurance standards and implements process improvement initiatives. Her responsibilities include auditing work to ensure ongoing accreditation, identifying deficiencies and designing corrective strategies that promote regulatory compliance and organizational growth. In this role, she is recognized for breaking down barriers between staff and members, cultivating a culture of transparency and continuous improvement.
Dr. Pawlowski’s tenure with Molina began as manager of health care services, where her leadership in building systems and developing staff laid the foundation for her promotion to director. Before joining Molina, she directed care management and utilization review at Valley View Medical Center, strengthening care coordination practices and ensuring regulatory compliance while advancing high standards of patient care.
Dr. Pawlowski’s leadership extended to Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, New Hampshire, as manager of care management for a critical access hospital affiliated with Dartmouth Hitchcock Health. She developed a comprehensive care management team that provided seven-day coverage and managed all utilization reviews for observation and inpatient levels of care. During this time, she also completed her doctoral degree, leading a project that successfully reduced hospital-wide readmissions. She further designed a program that enabled care managers to support the emergency department, a model that proved to be both innovative and effective.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Pawlowski was a clinical manager at Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire. Overseeing the northern territory across both states, she implemented evidence-based utilization management strategies while analyzing trends and financial impacts. Her focus on professional development strengthened her teams and maintained high standards of care delivery.
Dr. Pawlowski’s expertise has also been recognized on a national scale through her service with the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She was selected to serve on the setters panel, collaborating with peers nationwide to revise the Care Management Board Certification Exam and establish new standards for competency. Following this, she contributed as an item writer, developing questions still used in the board certification exam for care management.
In addition to her formal education, Dr. Pawlowski has pursued extensive certifications that reflect her commitment to lifelong learning. She is a registered nurse, a board-certified nurse coach through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation and holds nurse care management certification. She has completed programs in communication and leadership development and is pursuing additional credentials as a clinical trauma specialist and holistic wellness coach.
Looking to the future, Dr. Pawlowski envisions establishing an independent coaching business focused on supporting providers and members with holistic wellness strategies. She aims to build a practice serving veterans in Arizona while continuing to advance her own knowledge in trauma-informed care and wellness coaching.