Kate Hanna, BSN, RN

Director of Nursing

Kate Hanna received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Calvin University and has worked in the behavioral health nursing field for 26 years. She spent 20 years in acute inpatient behavioral health (mental health diagnosis, detox) and two years in Intake and utilization review for substance use disorder and mental health PHP/IOP. Before being promoted to Director of Nursing, Kate spent two years on Sanford Behavioral Health’s residential eating disorder unit. She also floated throughout the facility on detox, addiction, and mental health program areas.

During Kate’s nursing school medical rotations, she questioned whether nursing was the right fit until she began her psychiatric nursing rotation, where she found her home. This unique population often bears an undeserved stigma, yet deserves the best care and most compassion. Kate has found she can bring calm to tense situations and hope to clients experiencing fear and anxiety. She finds fulfillment in providing a safe, judgment-free space to clients navigating their journey toward recovery.  

 At Sanford, Kate says no day is the same as a Director of Nursing. A majority of her days are spent supporting staff with day-to-day needs, collaborating with other members of leadership to refine processes, and ensuring our clients receive excellent care. She has had the privilege of interviewing and onboarding several new nurses who have joined, as she calls them, “our amazing staff.”  In her free time, Kate enjoys supporting and encouraging her four children (alongside her wonderful husband) in their athletic, musical, and academic ventures. She is a pianist and loves to play on the rare occasion when no one is home.

 

Kate says, “I believe the most dynamic aspect of treatment provided at Sanford Behavis related to the campus concept, the ability to move toward recovery through the continuum of care with a multidisciplinary treatment team that not only communicates daily, but also prioritizes collaboration to meet a client’s needs in real time. Treatment at Sanford is not one-size-fits-all, and I am honored to be a part of a team that recognizes and responds to each client’s need for individualized care.”