Title: Registered Nurse, Senior Improvement Specialist in Obstetrics, and Nursing Leader
Company: UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Leah Marie Kelly, MSN, RN, RNC-MNN, Registered Nurse, Senior Improvement Specialist in Obstetrics, and Nursing Leader at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Nurses for dedication, achievements and leadership in Obstetrics and Maternal Newborn Nursing.
Attributing 35 years to her success in healthcare, Ms. Kelly has established herself as a leading expert in obstetrics and maternal-newborn nursing. Her journey at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began in 1991 as a registered nurse and unit director. Over the course of 25 years in this role, she developed her skills in patient care and team leadership while consistently demonstrating meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence. Ms. Kelly’s unwavering consistency and time-oriented approach became hallmarks of her leadership style from the earliest days of her career.
In 2016, Ms. Kelly advanced to the positions of clinical director of nursing administration and director of patient care services for administration and operations at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. For nearly a decade through 2025, she oversaw critical aspects of nursing operations and administration. Ms. Kelly’s responsibilities included guiding teams through periods of change and supporting quality initiatives that improved patient outcomes.
As a registered nurse, senior improvement specialist in obstetrics, and nursing leader, Ms. Kelly oversees a staff of nearly 20 registered nurses within the obstetric resource pool. She is responsible for conducting individualized meetings with each team member and gathering performance data throughout the year to inform annual reviews. In her capacity as senior improvement specialist within the quality department, Ms. Kelly manages several key projects focused on reducing cesarean section infection rates and analyzing postpartum hemorrhage cases to identify opportunities for improvement. She also collaborates closely with the infection prevention team, other improvement specialists in the neonatal intensive care unit, and the director of regulatory affairs to prepare for triennial Joint Commission visits.
Ms. Kelly’s educational background has played an essential role in shaping her career trajectory. She earned an Associate of Science in Nursing from the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh in 1991. In pursuit of further knowledge and advancement, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at California University of Pennsylvania, now Pennsylvania Western University, in California, Pennsylvania, in 2007. She then attained a master’s degree in nursing administration from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, in 2009. Each academic milestone provided foundational knowledge that enabled Ms. Kelly to excel as a clinician, administrator and leader.
In addition to her formal education, Ms. Kelly’s commitment to professional development is further demonstrated by her certification in maternal-newborn nursing through the National Certification Corporation in 2004. This credential reflects both her specialized expertise and her ongoing dedication to providing exceptional care for mothers and newborns. Furthermore, Ms. Kelly holds membership in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders, where she remains abreast of industry trends.
Throughout her career, Ms. Kelly has distinguished herself through her steadfast dedication to maintaining order and upholding high standards in every aspect of her work. This consistency has earned her repeated recognition from peers and colleagues alike. Among her most significant achievements, Ms. Kelly was honored to receive the Above and Beyond Award from UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in 2004, the UPMC ACE Award in 2005, an honor bestowed upon only 1% of employees through peer nomination, the Nursing Leadership Award at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in 2015, and First Place for the Nursing Leadership Poster Award at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders Annual Conference in 2025. These honors underscore both Ms. Kelly’s professional excellence and her influence as a mentor who has helped develop future leaders within nursing.
Ms. Kelly attributes her success to deeply held personal values rooted in treating every individual with dignity and respect regardless of their role or title. Guided by principles instilled by her parents, she strives to foster trust and compassion throughout all interactions with patients, families and colleagues. These values have shaped not only Ms. Kelly’s leadership style but also her approach to service within healthcare.
Looking ahead, Ms. Kelly remains committed to advancing quality improvement initiatives within obstetrics at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. She aims to expand effective processes, strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships and drive sustainable change that will benefit patients, families and care teams alike.
For those considering careers in healthcare or nursing today, Ms. Kelly encourages reflection on one’s original motivations for entering this field, especially during challenging times when complexity increases or circumstances become overwhelming. Through decades marked by consistent achievement, mentorship and unwavering commitment to excellence, she continues to set an inspiring example for colleagues across healthcare while advancing standards within obstetrics and maternal-newborn nursing.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Ms. Kelly: