Kristin Higbee, MSN, RN

Director of Quality Improvement

How I help:
I joined Pawnee in November 2025 as the Director of Quality Improvement. In this role, I bring a diverse nursing background that spans quality leadership, risk management, and frontline clinical care. I believe quality improvement is more than a regulatory requirement—it is an opportunity to strengthen the care we provide and highlight organizational growth. By applying data-driven approaches to identify gaps, implement meaningful change, and measure outcomes, I am committed to advancing safe, effective, and person-centered care across all programs. My work focuses on fostering a culture where quality is embedded in everyday practice, empowering teams to drive improvement, and supporting Pawnee’s mission to deliver equitable, high-quality behavioral health services.

My specialties:
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baker University and a Master’s in Nursing with a focus in Executive Leadership from Benedictine University. Before joining Pawnee, I served as Director of Quality and most recently as Risk Manager for a small rural hospital in Kansas. In these roles, I gained hands-on experience with the systems, processes, and accountability structures necessary to deliver safe and effective care across diverse settings. Working in quality and risk management taught me how essential these functions are to the health of any organization—ensuring care is continuously evaluated, optimized, and aligned with best practices, while proactively identifying and addressing potential risks.

More about me:
I am a Kansas native and have been fortunate to live in and experience other parts of the country, which has broadened my perspective both personally and professionally. My husband and I have two grown sons, and we love spending time with them, their families, and our granddaughters. Outside of work, I enjoy baking—especially experimenting with new sourdough recipes—and traveling to visit family across the United States.