Since joining Sturdy Health in 2022 as CHRO, Ms. Cook has reimagined the human resources function into a strategic driver of organizational success. She led a comprehensive department restructure, establishing four focused service areas and launching an embedded human resources business partner model that fosters real-time communication and issue resolution. Her initiatives in talent acquisition have saved millions by reducing contract labor costs and halving open requisitions, all while maintaining a below-state-average nurse vacancy rate. Ms. Cook also led critical upgrades to information and payroll systems, improving efficiency and compliance while reducing the medical and pharmacy benefits budget. She introduced competitive, employee-centric benefits like an employer-seeded health savings account and expanded wellness resources through a new committee and annual fair. She also reinvigorated service awards, rolled out stay interviews and helped overhaul organizational policies. Ms. Cook contributes to systemwide progress through roles on key committees and serves as a board member of the Connecticut Health Care Coalition.
