Columbia Memorial Health on Fri., Jan. 28, announced that Stephanie A. Hisgen is the hospital's new Chief Nursing Officer, effective January 1, according to a press release from CMH spokesperson Bill Van Slyke. Hisgen holds numerous degrees, including a doctorate in nursing practice and a master's in public health. She has served for decades in nursing leadership and senior management at health care organizations in the region, including as Corporate Director of Nursing for Prospect Medical Holdings, a 17-hospital health system, operating in five states. Hisgen is also the former Chief Operating Officer of Visiting Nurse Service Northeastern New York and Director of Nursing Recruitment at SUNY Upstate Medical University. During her career, Hisgen has focused on supporting and advancing the development of frontline nurses, ensuring those nurses have a voice in decision making, and building cultures of reliability, accountability and excellence. Dorothy Urschel, Chief Operating Officer at CMH said in a statement, “ ...Throughout her career [Stephanie Hisgen] has demonstrated a strong commitment to high-quality patient care by supporting nurses and generating opportunities for nurses to advance their expertise. We enthusiastically welcome her to the CMH leadership team.” Hisgen succeeds former CNO MaryEllen Plass.