OSWEGO – Oswego Health makes it a priority to recognize staff for their hard work and commitment to the organization and its patients. Two key staff members who continue to shine are Jody L. Wood, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, and Brandi Kerling, BSN, RN, CNOR.
Jody L. Wood, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM has been promoted to RN Clinical Educator at Oswego Hospital. Joining Oswego Health in 2005 initially as a Business Services Coordinator in the Medical-Surgical Unit, Wood discovered her passion for healthcare. She pursued her nursing degree from Cayuga Community College before becoming a licensed Registered Nurse in 2009. She returned to the Medical-Surgical Unit as an RN before transferring to Surgical Services in 2011. In this department, Wood has quickly advanced her career and in 2018 transitioned to an RN Educator in the operating room, before earning the promotion to Director of Surgical Services in 2020.
Wood describes herself as a lifelong learner and to have her now in a role coordinating and maintaining the Core Orientation Program for all new employees as the RN Clinical Educator is a “dream job”. In this role, Wood will teach IV Therapy, LPN Blood Administration, and Telemetry classes. Additionally, she will oversee the onboarding and continuing education needs of all nursing staff. Wood will collaborate with Nursing Leadership on the educational needs in the Clinical Units.
has been promoted to Director of Surgical Services. Kerling initially joined Oswego Health in 2006 as a Medical Surgical Technician on the pediatric unit while completing her nursing degree. From 2007-2009 she continued on the unit as an RN. Kerling then moved out of the area and returned in 2012. In 2013, she transitioned to Surgical Services, a department she continues to thrive in. In 2021 she was promoted to Senior RN before earning the title of Assistant Manager of Surgical Services in 2023.
As Director of Surgical Services, Kerling will direct and supervise functions and activities in the Surgical Services unit, which includes Pre-Admission, Ambulatory Surgery, Operating Room, and Post-Operative care. This team at Oswego Health plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, success, and quality of surgical procedures performed within our seven operating rooms. Kerling will manage a team of Surgeons, Surgical PAs, 37 RNs, 7 LPNs, 2 Information Coordinators, 1 Surgical Technician, 1 Patient Care Technician, 1 Surgical Scheduler, 1 Equipment Management Technician, and 1 Inventory Control Coordinator.
“We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated nursing staff at Oswego Health,” shared VP of Nursing Operations, Melissa Purtell, RN, BSN, MSN. “I am so proud of both Jody and Brandi and their accomplishments here at Oswego Health.”
Both Wood and Kerling took advantage of Oswego Health’s Tuition Assistance Program to elevate their careers. Wood graduated from Grand Canyon University with her Master of Science in Nursing in May 2024 and also took advantage of the Program in 2022 to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Empire State College. Kerling took advantage of the Program to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University in 2023.