USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital has named Vicki Curtis, M.S.N., RN, as its new chief nursing officer. The position took effect in November.
Curtis joined USA Health in January 2021 as the nurse manager for labor and delivery, then moved into the role of director of women’s services, where she oversaw development of the new Mother/Baby Unit and Women’s Complex Care, among other important initiatives.
“Under Vicki’s leadership, Children’s & Women’s Hospital has begun a national partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to decrease perinatal and maternal morbidity in our community,” said Deborah Browning, M.S.N., RN, CENP, chief executive officer for Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Her experience, vision and compassion make her an exceptional choice to lead our nursing teams.”
In fall 2022, Children’s & Women’s Hospital was accepted into IHI’s Eliminating Inequities and Reducing Postpartum Morbidity and Mortality Learning Community, which spanned January to June 2023. Only five hospitals nationwide were chosen for the project to support changes in clinical and administrative processes with the goal of leading to safer and more-equitable postpartum care and support for Black mothers.
Since then, the women’s services team, with support from University of South Alabama colleagues, has launched several projects to raise awareness and help save the lives of those most impacted by maternal health disparities. Among the new initiatives is the launch of the AdaptX enhanced data collection, a medical bracelet program, and at-home blood pressure monitoring.
In her previous roles, Curtis served as a manager in the labor and delivery department at Thomas Hospital. She also worked as a nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola and at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, England, caring for extremely premature infants in a level III neonatal intensive care unit.
Curtis has spent most of her career in maternal-child nursing, where she has provided care to women throughout pregnancy and childbirth. In 2013, Curtis earned a master’s degree in nursing at Spring Hill College.
“I love collaborating on projects with other passionate colleagues that improve healthcare for our patients and the community,” Curtis said. “My goal is to continue the positive momentum we’ve been building here at USA Health to ensure better outcomes for all of those we serve.”
