Helen Staples-Evans, DNP, RN, CNO and senior vice president for Patient Care Services at Loma Linda University Health, has been named a CNO to know for 2024 by Becker’s Hospital Review, a leading business publication focusing on healthcare business, legal news, and industry analysis.
The publication’s 2024 list honors more than 200 chief nursing officers who demonstrate outstanding leadership and high performance of their nursing teams throughout their respective organizations.
Staples-Evans oversees LLUH’s 4,600-member nursing team, focusing on strategic leadership, professional development, retention, and engagement.
“I’m honored on behalf of our entire team to be named by Becker’s Hospital Review for this distinction,” Staples-Evans said. “This recognition speaks to our performance as a team throughout Loma Linda University Health.”
She has played a key role in enhancing the professional practice of nurses by developing programs such as the clinical advancement program and the new graduate nursing residency, which provides mentored experiences to new nurses.
Her leadership was instrumental in Loma Linda's achievement of Magnet designation, particularly during the pandemic when she navigated the American Nurses Credentialing Center's first-ever virtual site visit. She also led efforts to open two new hospitals in 2021, maintaining high patient care standards throughout.
Her 42-year tenure at the health system has resulted in her receiving the system's 2024 president's distinguished service award.
Becker’s developed the list based on research and nominations. See the full list here.