Wendi Goodson-Celerin, DNP, APRN, NE-BC
About Wendi Goodson-Celerin, DNP, APRN, NE-BC
Wendi Goodson-Celerin is the Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at the Florida Health Sciences Center (FHSC), which comprises a portfolio of organizations, including Tampa General Hospital (TGH), one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit academic health systems, in partnership with the University of South Florida.
Goodson-Celerin is responsible for leading nursing services across the academic health system, focusing on further developing cross-functional collaboration among nursing teams across hospital departments. In this role, she also develops and implements nursing practice standards to ensure the delivery of world-class care complies with state, federal and local regulations, laws, standards and protocols. Additionally, Goodson-Celerin collaborates on designing and implementing system-wide nursing initiatives that include consistently reviewing clinical practices to ensure patients of the academic health system receive care that reflects evidence-based practice.
She has spearheaded the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program, a prestigious designation Tampa General has achieved five times since 2005. Goodson-Celerin also oversees compliance with accrediting bodies and regulatory groups systemwide, including implementing strategies to achieve or exceed quality and patient safety goals.
Goodson-Celerin's career at TGH is a testament to her dedication and continuous growth. She started as a graduate nurse in 1988 and has since held various roles, each one contributing to her comprehensive understanding of the healthcare system. Her journey includes serving as SVP and Chief Nursing Executive, SVP and Interim Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President of Patient Services, Vice President of Neuroscience, Orthopaedics and Clinical Education, Director of Acute Surgical Inpatient, Critical Care and Clinical Education, Director of Women’s & Children’s Services and Clinical Education, Director of Nursing Education, and Clinical Nurse Manager.
Certified with the ANCC Nurse Executive Board, Goodson-Celerin has earned national recognition for her excellence in nursing leadership and was named by Becker’s Hospital Review to its list of “Hospital and Health System Chief Nursing Officers to Know” for 2023 and 2024. Also in 2024, Goodson-Celerin was recognized again by Becker’s Hospital Review on its 2024 list of “231+ Black Healthcare Leaders to Know,” which spotlights Black health care leaders who are helping to shape the health care industry. Goodson-Celerin was one of just 12 leaders recognized on the list statewide.
Goodson-Celerin has also received several additional industry honors, including the Excellence in Management Leadership Award (2004), the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award (2009), and the Excellence in Education Award from the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives (2014).
Goodson-Celerin earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice and her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida. In recognition of her career growth and commitment to the nursing profession, the USF Health College of Nursing presented her with the “Outstanding Recent Alumni” award in 2023 and a three-year appointment as Assistant Dean of Academic-Practice Partnerships.