Southwest Health System has announced the appointment of Lisa Gates as the permanent chief nursing officer for Southwest Memorial Hospital.
Gates, a registered nurse, joined the hospital’s intensive care unit in 2009. She later joined surgical services, served as a clinic coordinator, and eventually became the operating room director.
Before her promotion to CNO, Gates served as the hospital director of quality risk and compliance since 2019.
The CNO is the highest nursing management position available for experienced registered nurses in health organizations. They are the primary spokesperson for the hospital nursing staff, and have the hefty task of coordinating all daily nursing operations.
“Lisa brings a wealth of experience and is ready to take the next step in her leadership career,” said Jeanette Filpi, interim CEO for Southwest Health System, in a news release. “It is exciting to be able to promote from within, with one of SHS’ finest.”
Gates grew up in Cortez and pursued her nursing education in San Diego, California.
“Nursing and taking care of others has been my passion for over 21 years,” Gates stated in the news release. “I look forward to continuing my career in rural healthcare that services the community where I grew up and am raising my two children.”