Chief Nursing and APP Executive
OSF HealthCare
Dr. Melinda Cooling serves as the Chief Nursing and Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Executive for OSF HealthCare. A visionary clinical leader, she has extensive expertise in developing innovative care models, including both in-person and digital health solutions.
As a family nurse practitioner, Dr. Cooling played a pivotal role in establishing the Center for Advanced Practice at OSF HealthCare. She conceptualized and implemented the APP Fellowship model, which has since achieved national accreditation. Her dedication to advancing the APP profession extends into academia, where she has held faculty positions in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
Dr. Cooling is also deeply engaged in research, serving as a principal and co-investigator for studies on APP transition to practice, burnout, preceptor evaluation tools for post-graduate fellowships, and digital health solutions. Additionally, she leads the HSII program through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) at OSF HealthCare.
Beyond OSF, Dr. Cooling is actively involved in national and international nursing and APP leadership groups. She frequently speaks at conferences, sharing insights on best practices in advanced practice leadership, education, and workforce development. She also serves as co-chair of the Commission on Accreditation for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Transition to Practice programs for nursing and advanced practice.
Dr. Cooling’s leadership continues to shape the future of nursing and advanced practice, ensuring high-quality patient care and professional development opportunities for APPs across the country.
A Leadership Approach to Improving Talent, Culture, and Advancing Strategy
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
4:30pm - 5:30pm CT