Interim Chief Nursing Officer, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Elaine Clayton first began her career at Johns Hopkins Bayview as a clinical nurse on the post-anesthesia care unit in 1989. From there, she quickly progressed to the position of advanced clinical nurse for the progressive care unit in 1995, and later to the position of patient care manger. Through her success and work ethic, Elaine’s affinity for quality leadership was recognized and ultimately supported her growth into the role of assistant director of nursing for specialty hospital programs in June of 2015. In less than a year, Elaine was offered the opportunity to step entirely into the role of director of nursing for specialty hospital programs. In 2022, Elaine’s role expanded to include the department of medicine nursing.

As the director of nursing for specialty hospital programs, Elaine’s responsibilities included leadership of three inpatient chronic units, one ventilator unit, a medical behavioral unit, a rehabilitation unit and hospital liaison for dialysis services. In collaboration with PM&R, Elaine helped increase the number of rehabilitation beds and supported the integration of rehab services across Johns Hopkins Medicine campuses. Elaine has also collaborated with the PM&R team to achieve several successful Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) surveys, each resulting in three-year redesignations. Additionally, as the hospital liaison for dialysis services, she ensures consistent practices to the hospital standards and policies. Due to her clear proficiency, Elaine was offered the opportunity to expand her responsibilities to also include respiratory therapy services, where she valiantly supported efforts to manage patient care requirements through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elaine has been a member of the diversity committee and has participated in implementing initiatives aimed at increasing diversity, awareness and civility, including the diversity fair, speaker series and the Civility Campaign. Elaine also serves as a co-leader for the Mission Continuity Planning Steering Committee, in conjunction with emergency management. The committee has led several organizational mission continuity plan updates. Elaine is also an active member of the Manager Support Steering Committee, where she helps develop strategies to assist managers in achieving organizational goals.

Elaine graduated from Baylor University in 2022 with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and has contributed to the Department of Nursing’s overall success through various strategies.