Her Story
About Valerie
Valerie Higgins is the Director of Quality Management for Home and Community-Based Care at Catholic Health in Buffalo, New York. She began her nursing career as a registered nurse in 1993, working in critical care for 12 years before founding her own private-duty nursing company, where she cared for medically fragile children in their homes. Her experiences in direct patient care and home-based nursing sparked her interest in comprehensive care coordination, case management, and improving outcomes for patients across healthcare settings.
Valerie later returned to school, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix. She has spent approximately 15 years with Catholic Health, progressing from frontline nursing and preceptorship to nursing education, management, and ultimately her current leadership position. As Director of Quality Management for Home and Community-Based Care, she oversees quality across four nursing homes, two subacute facilities, and certified and licensed home care divisions. Her work encompasses quality improvement, regulatory compliance, CMS metrics, clinical education, staffing, and patient experience, with her teams achieving and maintaining strong CMS 5-star ratings.
Valerie is passionate about developing healthcare professionals and future leaders, emphasizing mentorship, continuous learning, integrity, and community involvement. She believes quality healthcare requires understanding not only clinical outcomes but also the social and community factors that influence patients’ ability to remain safely and successfully at home. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, walking her dog, and spending time with her three sons and two grandchildren. She also volunteers with community organizations supporting people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, reflecting her commitment to serving both patients and the broader community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Valerie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to mentors who recognized my potential, listened to my goals, and helped me develop the skills and experience needed to achieve them. I’m grateful for the opportunities they gave me, and I hope to pay that forward by helping others grow and reach their own goals.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the industry to keep an open mind and recognize how much they can accomplish with their skills. Healthcare is evolving, and although the challenges can feel overwhelming, this is an exciting opportunity to shape its future. Focus on the bigger picture and consider where you want healthcare to be, because that’s where you can make the greatest impact.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe our biggest challenge is staffing, particularly the nursing shortage and integrating multiple generations in the workforce. As leaders, we need to support and develop the next generation while valuing the experience of existing staff. Finding ways to bring these perspectives together will help build a stronger, more capable healthcare workforce.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the foundation of everything I do, especially in healthcare, where quality and compliance are essential. I also value community involvement and awareness, particularly through my work in post-acute care, because serving and strengthening the community is an important part of my personal and professional purpose.
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