CNO/SVP at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, a 912-bed major research and academic medical center in Washington, D.C. As CNO of the largest hospital in the nation’s capital, Yitbarek oversees a staff of nearly 3,500 in the Department of Nursing and Patient Care Services. MWHC is twice Pathway to Excellence designated and CCNE accredited for its Nurse Residency Program. In 2024, MWHC was names #1 Hospital in the region by US News & World Report.

where she began her career as a newly graduated nurse from the Chester County School of Nursing in West Chester Pennsylvania. As Yitbarek grew within the not-for-profit MedStar Health system, which encompasses 10 hospitals and over 400 regional locations, she also obtained a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Executive Leadership from George Washington University, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from George Mason University, a baccalaureate of Nursing (BSN) degree from University of Maryland and a certificate in Executive Leadership from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 2023, Yitbarek served as the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. Prior to joining MedStar Southern Maryland, Yitbarek spent four years as the Vice President of Nursing Operations at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where she was responsible for all nursing operations, including budget management, strategic planning, and leading and implementing large projects.  Under her leadership, MedStar Washington Hospital Center achieved several prestigious national nursing designations, including Pathway to Excellence®, Baby-Friendly USA, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation for the Nurse Residency Program.

Yitbarek is a member of the American Organization of Nursing Leadership (AONL) and Sigma Theta Tau International. She serves on the board of Alpha Breast Cancer Support Services, a non-profit aiming to spread awareness and create strong links between organizations in the United States and Ethiopia and Eritrea. She lives in Falls Church, Va., with her scientist husband, soccer-loving son, and adorable Cavachon dog Rocky.