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Captain Kimberly A. Zuzelski, MPH MS RD CSSD FACHE
Captain Kimberly Zuzelski is currently the Commanding Officer of the Naval Health Clinics in Hawaii, which includes 6 geographically dispersed ambulatory care clinics that serve about 35,000 enrolled patients. Her initial education and training was in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at Colorado State University. Captain Zuzelski joined the Navy through a scholarship program that funded her dietetic internship program in exchange for three years of service, which was 27 years ago. Since then, she returned to school for a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Navy has afforded her innumerable opportunities to serve across the globe in various inpatient and ambulatory clinical and administrative roles in nutrition, food service, diabetes education, sports nutrition, public health, quality management, and healthcare administration. Captain Zuzelski has had exposure to some incredible mentors and leaders that contributed to her desire to pursue executive medicine as a career path
Why did you join ACHE and how long have you been a member?
I initially joined ACHE to broaden my exposure to the field of healthcare administration in 2003, although I focused more on my clinical credentials and board certifications in diabetes education and sports dietetics until a few years ago. As my leadership responsibilities increased, I looked to ACHE as a credible source for education, professional growth and following industry benchmarks. I became a Fellow of ACHE in 2016.
How has ACHE impacted your career or leadership style?
ACHE has offered a network of professionals that enable shared ideas and support while leading in today’s healthcare environment. It has offered an avenue for me to understand the parallels between military and civilian healthcare, and the self-assessments enabled me to target opportunities for continued education and currency. When I was involved with implementing an electronic health record at a prior command, I was able to track articles and lessons learned from ACHE publications as well.
What would you say to someone who is interested in joining ACHE?
I’d say that ACHE is an exceptional organization regardless of whether one is a clinician or administrator. ACHE has so much to offer with regard to personal and professional growth, networking, and industry excellence.
What would your words of encouragement be to early careerists about pursuing healthcare leadership positions given the ever changing healthcare environment?
Now is the best time to be involved. Healthcare is always changing, but therein lies the opportunity to innovate and shape what our system looks like in the future.
Captain Kimberly A. Zuzelski, MPH MS RD CSSD FACHE
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