WEEKLY UPDATE: 05/07/26
After more than three decades of extraordinary service, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) celebrates Ena Williams as she marks her retirement from a career defined by visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and a profound impact on patient care.
Ena was recently recognized at a joint meeting of the CHA Patient Care Executives Meeting Group, Healthcare Educators Meeting Group, and the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce Council Deans and Directors. During the meeting, which focused on the preparation and development of new nurses, attendees paused to honor Ena’s lasting contributions to the profession and to healthcare in Connecticut.
Ena began her nursing career in Jamaica and joined Yale New Haven Hospital in 1992 as a staff nurse in perioperative services. Over the years, she rose through the ranks to become chief nursing officer and, ultimately, senior vice president and chief nurse executive of Yale New Haven Health. Her journey is a powerful testament to her commitment, expertise, and deep passion for nursing.
Throughout her tenure, Ena played a pivotal role in advancing nursing practice and strengthening care delivery across the health system. Her leadership guided teams through some of healthcare’s most challenging moments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, with clarity, compassion, and resilience.
Ena also served as a dedicated CHA leader, contributing to multiple work groups and committees and serving on the Board of Trustees from 2018 to 2024.
Beyond her impact in Connecticut, Ena has been a respected voice on the national stage. She has served as President of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and has been recognized among the nation’s most influential clinical leaders.
As we celebrate Ena Williams and her remarkable career, we extend our deepest gratitude for her service and wish her all the best in this well-earned next chapter.
