Carole Ann Klove '76 RN, JD

Carole Ann Klove '76 RN, JD has extensive and diverse experience in healthcare, with roles including a trauma nurse, malpractice litigator, attorney and healthcare partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, and Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer at Stanford Hospital and UCLA. Currently, she serves at the Chief Nursing Officer and Counsel at Elemeno Health, where she has helped build a technology solution to assist frontline nurses and healthcare teams in providing consistent, up-to-date, just-in-time clinical resources, including for COVID-19.

 

Why did you go into healthcare?

When I was growing up, my parents were very involved in supporting many of our local hospitals. My dad served on the board of a large level 1 Trauma Center, Hollywood Presbyterian Medica Center (HPMC), including as its Board Chairman for 16 years! My sister (Karin Klove '75) and I both volunteered as "Candy Stripers" during junior high and high school at HPMC. In addition to volunteering over 500 hours at HPMC, I also volunteered at Children's Hospital. It became clear that helping people was a calling and a passion in my life. I only applied to two colleges with premiere nursing programs, was accepted to both, and attended Duke University. Although I thought I might go on to medical school after obtaining my BSN, it became clear that nursing and advocacy was for me. To that end, I then proceeded to law school and my combined degrees have allowed me to work and be an advocate for healthcare clients and patients. Now I am the Chief Nursing Officer of Elemeno Health, a digital technology solution that supports and empowers our frontline heroes! 

What is Elemeno Health, and how has the pandemic influenced your role there as Chief Nursing Officer?

Elemeno Health is a digital technology SaaS solution providing support to frontline nurses and teams through microlearning and team communication. Elemeno works with healthcare clients across the country to reduce an ongoing problem of practice deviation by creating bite-sized digestible content that a frontline nuse, physician, or staff member can use in the moment to ensure consistency of practice. When the COVID-19 pandemic arose, critical information on treatment, isolation procedures, use of PPE, and many other practices were rapidly evolving and changing. Elemeno became critical to our clients' ability to keep their staff and patients safe and informed. As CNO and member of Elemeno's leadership team, I saw the need to share updated COVID-19 information to frontline teams as quickly as possible. In collaboration with the American College or Emergency Physicians (ACEP), we created Elemen Express, a free solution for emergency doctors and nurses to stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 best practices. In September 2020, Elemno was recognized by the World Economics Forum as one of the top 15 innovative solutions worldwide to fight COVID-19 and its aftermath.

How did your early roles as ICU nurse and disaster relief volunteer prepare you for your experience with the pandemic?

It has been regularly stated that nurses are "MacGyvers!" Innovation and quick thinking are core to being a frontline nurse or first responder. My preparedness for an emergency situation or a pandemic began during my training as a nurse at Duke University. In emergency situations, one must work as an interprofessional team to ensure the best possible care is delivered to the patient. These principles apply whether working in the ICU, volunteering for the Medical Reserve Corp, serving on medical missions, or more recently volunteering as part of Immunize Nevada Vaccine clinics. Work as a team and always put the patient first! 

How did Marlborough prepare you for your career in healthcare?

Marlborough prepared me to be curious and to challenge the status quo. Of note, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, was also credited with "Challenging the Status Quo." As students we were encouraged to expand our knowledge, strive for excellence, and serve in our community. The confidence that came from our Marlborough education made me believe that when you follow your passion, such as healthcare, all things are possible! 

What advice do you have for current students interested in pursuing healthcare?

My life is a perfect example that a career in healthcare can include many different roles, beginning as a nurse, practicing law as a malpractice litigator, then representing healthcare providers in regulatory matters, and now building a technology solution as Chief Nursing Officer and Counsel of Elemeno Health. Throughout all of these roles has been my deep passion for helping others. I am always a nurse first! The opportunities in healthcare re limitless. If you have a passion for discovery and helping others, consider pursuing a career in healthcare. You will not be disappointed! 

 

Learn more about Elemeno Health by reading this BMJ Journal article.