Kelly Bernatow currently serves as a WHNP/Women & Children’s Nurse Navigator at UCHealth’s Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. Kelly has been an active member of CPCQC since 2017, assisting with the implementation of the CHoSEN Collaborative into the Northern Colorado region, alongside the late Dr. Annie Hall – Neonatologist. Her emphasis and passion revolve around eliminating stigma surrounding perinatal substance use disorder, medicated assisted treatment programs, and substance exposed newborns. She strives to create an environment of nonjudgement and innovation of new methods of ‘plans of safe care’ for these vulnerable patient populations. Kelly is enthusiastic to continue to broaden the scope of the impactful work of the CPCQC.

Kelly was presenter of ‘Grief is a Process Some Call a Journey’ at the 2014 AWHONN National Convention for her work with the development of her hospital’s Perinatal Bereavement Program. She was also invited as KeyNote Speaker at the 2023 CO Safe Haven for Newborns Annual Gala in response to her efforts in action on a difficult Safe Haven surrender. Kelly now also continues her work with that platform as one of
their board members since winter of 2023. Kelly completed her undergraduate studies at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, followed by her Master’s degree in Women’s Health from the University of Cincinnati – Graduate College of Nursing. She hopes to continue to enhance her education in the near future by obtaining her Perinatal Mental Health Certification and potentially returning to graduate studies for her Psychiatric NP or Doctorate degree.