“The magnitude of impact we can have on the healthcare system and on patient outcomes is enormous. When we open the door to work together, we can innovate processes and change the entire healthcare industry.”

Aundrea Mills has been taking care of people her entire life. She has worked in a hospital since she left high school. She has demonstrated a passion for patients and wellness since she started as a nurse aide after graduating from the University of Kentucky as a registered nurse to her role as chief nursing officer for Compass One Healthcare.

A recipient of the prestigious Silver Lamp Leadership award and scholarship, Aundrea has since left the four walls of a hospital to take the newly created role of chief nursing officer at Compass One. It is a pioneering role and the first of its kind in the food and nutrition services sector. Aundrea works across all company locations, building relationships between nursing and support services to foster a collaborative care team and achieve better outcomes.

Having previously led all service lines in the acute care setting and served as a hospital CNO within large health systems such as Lifepoint, CHS, and Covenant Health System, she knows the challenges nursing teams face. Her reach spans 2,400+ accounts across the country, making impacts with our nurse partners by prioritizing nurses practicing at the “top of license.” With a background in Six Sigma certification, her top priority is giving time back to the nurse at the bedside and providing innovative ways to enhance nurse wellness and sustainable nutrition. With better communication, nursing and FANS can better collaborate on patient care, something that has been a cornerstone of Aundrea’s role.

Aundrea is an ardent advocate for nurses and their wellness journey, partnering with the American Nurses Association and the Healthy Nurse, Health Nation initiative. Aundrea has a true passion for success in patient experience and has received remarkable patient satisfaction outcomes by prioritizing the caregiver experience. She completed her BSN at Chamberlain University, her master’s in healthcare leadership from Western Governors University, and has been on several advisory boards.