DGTL Voices with Ed Marx
Episode: Pioneering the CNIO Role (ft. MaryAnn Connor)
Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Ed Marx
Guest: Dr. MaryAnn Connor, CNIO at Memorial Sloan Kettering
Episode Overview
This episode features Dr. MaryAnn Connor, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO) at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). The conversation dives into her three-decade career, the pioneering of the CNIO role, the evolution of technology in nursing, and advice for aspiring and mid-career nurse leaders. Dr. Connor's passion for patient-centered care, mentorship, and lifelong learning shines as she shares both personal experiences and expert insights into the transformative power of informatics in healthcare.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. MaryAnn’s Background & Path to Nursing Informatics
[00:35 – 10:06]
- 30+ Years at MSK:
- "I've been part of Memorial Sloan Kettering for over 30 years. About 33 years. Yes. But not in different roles at MSK." (00:39)
- Family and Early Influences:
- Grew up on Long Island, one of nine siblings—strong emphasis on family, hard work, and values from parents and grandparents.
- Inspiration and foundation for perseverance and compassion.
- Educational Journey:
- Started with an associate degree in nursing due to financial constraints, followed by a BSN, then MSN, and ultimately a PhD.
- Lifelong commitment to education and adaptation to evolving nursing science.
- “The more I've done the work that I've done in informatics, the more I realize the importance of the PhD for me to really contribute to nursing science and really informatics and implementation science.” (07:10)
- Career Launch:
- Inspired by strong performance in math and science; no immediate nursing role models in family, but was encouraged by relatives.
2. Why Stay at MSK and the Birth of the CNIO Role
[09:00 – 10:12]
- Why MSK:
- Continuous opportunities to learn and grow, unique commitment to patient-centered care, and the ability to shape new directions.
- "I saw the focus on patient centered care and the commitment to that care delivery model... I thought, you know, there's something here that is wanting me to really sort of step my game up a little bit and, but also contribute." (09:00)
- Pioneering the CNIO Role:
- First person in the CNIO role at MSK, started with clinical education and moved into informatics as IT and clinical care convergence became necessary.
3. Advice for Aspiring and Mid-Career Nurse Leaders
[11:40 – 15:04]
- For New Grads:
- Prioritize mastering clinical skills for a solid foundation—essential before tackling informatics or leadership.
- “Build your confidence in your clinical skills. Make sure that you develop that foundation and you understand what nursing and nursing practice is...” (11:41)
- Engage with technology as tools, become a ‘super user’, and understand workflows.
- For Mid-Career Nurses:
- Reflect on personal career goals—people leadership, practice, informatics, education, or quality.
- Explore leadership style and seek ongoing communication training.
- “Do they want to be a people leader?... Or do you want to look at informatics and be a leader in the technology side...?” (13:48)
- Communication and self-awareness are as vital as credentials or degrees.
4. Evolution and Impact of Nursing Informatics
[15:04 – 18:47]
- Major Gains:
- Transition from paper-based systems to integrated Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
- Clinical decision support tools as prominent advancements—nursing data now informs care and quality.
- “Informatics has helped elevate the visibility of nursing, you know, in ways of looking at...nursing sensitive indicators...” (15:29)
- Future Opportunities:
- Heavy excitement around AI, especially AI-enabled documentation and ambient technologies.
- AI could free nurses to focus more on caring relationships and capture otherwise undocumented, patient-centered acts.
- “I hope...the documentation becomes something that's part of the conversations and the assessment of the nurse and it's just integrated into the electronic health record. And I think that's where AI can really help.” (17:03)
5. Making the Case for the CNIO Role
[18:47 – 20:02]
- For Health Systems Without a CNIO:
- CNIOs bridge technology and practice, translating strategy organizationally and guiding technology adoption to support care models.
- Emphasized partnership: “It's never about nursing informatics leading it. It's actually a partnership with operations, operational leadership, the chief nurse, the CIO and really kind of bring it together...” (19:21)
- Workflow focus ensures tech implementations are seamless for clinicians.
6. Leadership and Lifelong Learning
[20:24 – 23:21]
- Mentorship & Early Experiences:
- Benefited significantly from mentors; as a float nurse early on, learned from both supportive and unsupportive colleagues.
- Experiences propelled her into education and mentorship roles herself.
- “I could go now and be that person that mentors and helps nurses gain that confidence...” (21:24)
- Advice for CIOs New to CNIO Collaboration:
- Meet early, align visions, foster partnership, and listen to institutional history and lessons.
- “Partnering and understanding sort of what's worked and what hasn't...that's always a helpful tool...” (22:35)
7. Hard Lessons Learned
[23:36 – 24:30]
- Preparation is Key:
- “Always be prepared. That, you know, don't try to wing it too much.” (23:36)
- Addressing difficult conversations directly leads to better outcomes despite discomfort.
- “Go and speak to them and tell them what you're experiencing from their behavior...it was the hardest thing for me. But it was amazing learning experience.” (23:51)
8. Personal Recharge and Self-Care
[24:46 – 25:28]
- Physical activity as renewal:
- Running, biking—shared with family and spouse.
- Regular physical activity offers mental clarity and stress relief.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Lifelong Learning:
- “I believe in education about lifelong learner. So, you know, I'm always looking to learn and to understand.” — MaryAnn Connor (21:48)
-
On the Essence of Nursing:
- “Caring being the most important thing that nurses do, and that's not measurable. And always an electronic health record up front.” (26:27)
- “How do we look at ways to demonstrate that caring behavior is something that was my research and that's what I'm going to continue to study and look at in my career.” (26:38)
-
On Advice to New Nurses:
- “Build your confidence in your clinical skills...because it definitely stays with you for the rest of your career.” (11:41)
-
On Informatics:
- "Nurse informatics help to translate the technology and the practice and also help strategically to align what's important for the organization and where they want to go." (18:48)
-
On Grace and Mentorship:
- “Give grace. Awesome.” — Ed Marx about MaryAnn's approach (26:23)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- MaryAnn’s Story & Background: 02:30 – 05:03
- Educational Philosophy & Career Advancement: 05:11 – 08:27
- Staying at MSK & CNIO Genesis: 09:00 – 10:12
- Advice to New Grad & Mid-Career Nurses: 11:40 – 15:04
- Major Informatics Advances: 15:29 – 16:24
- AI’s Future in Nursing: 16:41 – 18:05
- Making the Case for CNIOs: 18:47 – 20:02
- Mentorship & Leadership Lessons: 20:24 – 23:21
- Personal Self-Care: 24:46 – 25:28
- Closing Leadership Reflections: 26:27 – 26:57
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Dr. MaryAnn Connor illustrates the value of blending clinical excellence, technological fluency, and compassionate leadership. Her journey underscores the importance of strong foundations, lifelong learning, and grace in mentoring others. As a pioneer at the intersection of nursing and informatics, she champions the CNIO role’s strategic value and the irreplaceable heart of nursing—caring for people.
“I believe in nursing. I believe in nursing practice. I believe nurses bring so much to the care delivery...caring being the most important thing that nurses do, and that's not measurable. And always an electronic health record up front.” — Dr. MaryAnn Connor (26:27)