Adrie Goudzwaard is a healthcare leader, educator, and certified Planetree Coordinator with more than four decades of experience advancing quality, leadership, and person-centered care. Drawing on a diverse background as a registered nurse, location manager, policy advisor, and organizational coach, Adrie partners with healthcare teams to cultivate cultures where patients, families, and care professionals can thrive.
Since 2013, Adrie has led the implementation and integration of the Planetree philosophy within her organization, working closely with executive leaders, managers, and interdisciplinary teams to embed person-centered care into everyday practice. She chairs the organization's Planetree steering committee, facilitates cultural transformation initiatives, and designs engaging learning experiences that inspire staff to reflect on their interactions with patients, residents, families, and one another. Through Planetree experience days, focus groups, and ongoing coaching, she helps organizations translate person-centered values into meaningful, sustainable change.
Adrie is passionate about creating environments where every voice is heard. She regularly facilitates focus groups to assess organizational culture, analyzes findings to identify opportunities for improvement, and partners with leadership teams to strengthen engagement across all levels of the organization. She has also supported Planetree certification efforts in other organizations, bringing thoughtful facilitation and a collaborative approach to organizational assessment.
In addition to her Planetree leadership, Adrie serves as a policy advisor specializing in quality improvement. Her work includes coordinating internal audits, training quality auditors, supporting investigations into serious incidents, and helping organizations strengthen systems that promote safe, compassionate, and person-centered care.
Previously, as a Location Manager and member of the executive management team, Adrie led multidisciplinary teams while fostering professional growth and continuous learning. She developed and delivered nursing education programs, coached staff through professional development, and cultivated reflective leadership practices that empowered individuals to build confidence, strengthen communication, and embrace meaningful change.
Adrie's background as a registered nurse, combined with advanced training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), gives her a unique ability to connect with individuals, facilitate learning, and support lasting behavioral and cultural transformation. She is deeply committed to helping healthcare organizations create experiences where compassion, partnership, and excellence are woven into every interaction.
