Welcome CNO Mary Ponce

Coming to Ivinson from Jackson, Wyoming, Ponce (pawn-SAY) served as the Director of Critical Care Services at St. John’s Health where she was praised for her leadership and work beside her fellow nurses. 

“Mary’s dedication to patient care and quality improvement fits hand-in-hand with the culture we are building at Ivinson,” Chief Executive Officer Doug Faus said. ​“I am confident that her leadership, strategic direction and focus on quality of care and patient satisfaction are going to drive positive change here at Ivinson and in the care our community receives.”

Providing care in Wyoming since 2012, Ponce has over 20 years of nursing leadership experience that she brings from roles she has held at St. John’s in Jackson and from hospital and surgical care roles in Las Vegas. In her 12 years in Jackson, Mary served in several leadership and director roles, overseeing obstetrics, house supervisors, medical/​surgical services, the Regeneron clinic and as interim Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). In 2021, Mary’s leadership was called on once again, as she served in a shared-leadership model as CNO alongside two other CNOs — a role she held through 2023. 

“As I step into this new role at Ivinson, I am eager to work together to transform patient care,” Ponce said. ​“I am committed to ensuring that our leaders and staff are treated with the utmost respect and care, knowing that this will naturally extend to our patients, resulting in sincere and exceptional care. My goal is for every patient to feel truly special and recognized, with our team going above and beyond to meet their unique needs.”

Ponce completed her post graduate studies at Grand Canyon University where she earned her Master of Business Administration and her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in nursing leadership. She holds nursing degrees from the University of Nevada Las Vegas as well as Community College of Southern Nevada. 

“Choosing Laramie as our home was a decision driven by our love for Wyoming and its community. With our children Gillian and Zander living in Laramie, we look forward to family gatherings and creating lasting memories.”

With ties and active involvement to the University of Wyoming, as well as the Wyoming Nurses’ Association, Ponce is excited to build out these relationships and play a more integral role in community involvement. 

Moving into spring, Ponce is looking forward to exploring the great outdoors of her new home. Together with her family, Ponce is eager to find new trails to hike, places to kayak and where to find the good fishing in and around the Laramie community.