UP Health System – Marquette Names Meg McConnell as Chief Nursing Officer

MARQUETTE, Mich. (June 4, 2025) — UP Health System – Marquette has announced that Meg McConnell, MSN, BSN, RN, has been named chief nursing officer (CNO), effective immediately.

McConnell joined UP Health System – Marquette in early 2023 and most recently served as assistant chief nursing officer. She brings more than a decade of progressive nursing leadership experience, with a background in critical care, emergency medicine and operational oversight.

Before joining UP Health System, McConnell served as director of the intensive care unit, respiratory therapy, cardiac rehab and inpatient hemodialysis at Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, North Carolina, where she managed a team of nearly 100 staff members. Prior to that, she held nursing leadership roles at several hospitals in Ohio, with a focus on emergency and critical care services.

McConnell earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Science in Nursing through Chamberlain College of Nursing’s executive leadership program. She has been accepted into the Chamberlain Doctor of Nursing Practice program, with completion expected in June 2025.

In her new role as CNO, McConnell will oversee nursing operations across UP Health System – Marquette, leading initiatives focused on clinical quality, patient safety, staff engagement and nursing excellence. She will also support leadership development and collaboration across inpatient and outpatient care settings.

“Meg has already made a significant impact on our organization in her time here,” said Tonya Darner, CEO of UP Health System – Marquette. “Her clinical insight, inclusive leadership style and deep connection to our staff make her exceptionally well-positioned to guide our nursing teams forward and strengthen our commitment to high-quality, compassionate care.”

McConnell is a member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and was recognized with the DAISY Nurse Leader Award in 2022 for her compassionate leadership and dedication to fostering a positive environment for patients, families and care teams.

UP Health System – Marquette remains committed to its mission of making communities healthier through compassionate care, clinical excellence and continuous improvement.

Learn more about the executive leadership team at UPHS – Marquette here.