Ana Merzel Kernkraut is a psychologist, educator, and healthcare leader dedicated to advancing patient experience, person-centered care, and organizational excellence. Drawing on extensive experience in clinical practice, leadership, and healthcare transformation, she partners with organizations to build cultures where patients, families, and care teams are empowered to thrive.
Ana currently serves as Coordinator of the Patient Experience Program and the Postgraduate Certificate Program in Patient Experience at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, one of Brazil's leading healthcare organizations. She previously led the hospital's Psychology Department, where she combined her clinical expertise with strategic leadership to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, enhance the quality of care, and promote person-centered approaches throughout the organization.
Throughout her career, Ana has worked with healthcare leaders and frontline teams to design and implement initiatives that improve patient experience, foster meaningful partnerships with patients and families, and embed person-centered principles into everyday practice. Her work brings together psychology, quality improvement, leadership development, and education to help organizations achieve lasting cultural transformation while delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
Ana is committed to developing the next generation of healthcare leaders through teaching, coaching, and mentorship. She leads educational programs that equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to create exceptional experiences for patients and families while advancing organizational performance.
She holds a master's degree in Health Sciences from FICSAE and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Insper. Her international education includes executive programs at Hospital Clínic Barcelona in Spain and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has also completed advanced training in Psychodrama and Child Psychology, providing a strong foundation for her holistic approach to person-centered care.
Ana serves as a Board Member of the Brazilian Society of Hospital Psychology and Finance Director of the Brazilian Society for Patient Experience and Person-Centered Care. As a Planetree External Evaluator, she partners with healthcare organizations to assess, strengthen, and sustain person-centered practices, supporting their journey toward excellence in compassionate, patient-centered healthcare.
