Maria Barrionuevo, MSN, RN, brings more than 30 years of healthcare leadership and clinical experience to the Gift of Hope Board of Directors. She currently serves as Director of Cardiovascular Services at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Ill. Throughout her career, Maria has been recognized for advancing programs that improve patient outcomes while fostering a culture of compassion, dignity and respect.
Beginning her career as a bedside critical care nurse, Maria has held progressive leadership roles across critical care, emergency services and hospital operations. She has led major initiatives to enhance patient safety, expand cardiovascular services, improve patient experience and support system-wide clinical collaboration.
For more than a decade, Maria has maintained active engagement in the organ donation process at Lutheran General Hospital, helping ensure continuity and alignment with established protocols. Her commitment to donation advocacy extends beyond her professional role. She has volunteered with Gift of Hope as a member of the Advisory Council, the Hispanic Outreach Task Force and the Donation After Cardiac Death Task Force. She was also recognized by the Illinois Secretary of State for her contributions to organ and tissue donation awareness.
Maria holds a master of science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor of science in Nursing from the University of Puerto Rico, and completed the Harvard Program for Management Development in Health Care.
