CNO Roundtable 2026
Chief Nursing Officer Roundtable 2026
Leading change with optimism for nursing's future
Behind every decision, innovation, and patient outcome is a nurse leader navigating constant change. In our annual roundtable, local chief nursing officers discuss the challenges they face and the reasons they remain hopeful.
We asked our panel the following questions:
Q1. Pressing Challenges
What is the biggest issue facing California nurse leaders today?
Q2. Workforce
Compared to a year ago, is your staffing and retention situation better, worse, or about the same?
Q3. Well-Being
What is the current state of nurse burnout? What can be done?
Q4. Innovation
Share a recent success involving a new technology or care model.
Q5. Clinical Pipeline
What skills are hardest to find in nurse applicants? How are you supporting new hires?
Q6. Timely Traits
What leadership qualities will tomorrow’s nurses need most?
Q7. Bright Future
What makes you most optimistic about nursing going forward?
Q8. CNO R&R
What is something outside of work that relieves stress and brings joy?
View this article in the May 2026 Flip Mag.
Thank you to these exceptional nursing leaders:
Danielle Gabele, RN, DNP, CENP, CPHQ Chief Nursing Officer Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital
Karen Grimley, RN, Ph.D., MBA, FAAN, FACHE, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Executive UCLA Health
Derrek Hidalgo, RN, MBA, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer California Rehabilitation Institute Los Angeles
Katie Hughes, RN, MSN, CRRN Chief Nursing Officer Casa Colina Pomona
Leila Ibushi-Thompson, RN, MSN, NE-BC Patient Care Executive Adventist Health White Memorial Los Angeles and Montebello
David Marshall, RN, DNP, JD, CENP, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN Sr. VP and Chief Nursing Executive Cedars-Sinai Los Angeles
Stacie Miller, RN, BSN, MBA Assistant Chief Nursing Officer Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Valencia
Mark Mitchelson, RN, DHA, NEA-BC Patient Care Executive Adventist Health Simi Valley
Theresa Murphy, RN, MSHA, CENP Chief Nursing Officer USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Glendale
Jinhee Nguyen, RN, DNP, MBA, NEA-BC Sr. VP and Chief Nursing Officer Huntington Health, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai Pasadena
Scholastica Ogomaka, RN, E.D., MBA, NE-BC, PMHNP-BC Chief Nurse Executive Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center
Jaime Reiter, RN, BSN, MBA, CENP, CPHQ Chief Nursing Officer USC Care Medical Group & Ambulatory Care Services Los Angeles
Helen Staples-Evans, RN, DNP, NE-BC Sr. VP of Patient Care Services/CNO Loma Linda University Medical Center
Joyce Volsch, RN, Ph.D., NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer / VP Patient Care Services Redlands Community Hospital
Lesley Wininger, RN, DNP, MHA, CPPS Vice President / CNO Dignity Health – Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center
Alexis Zamarripa, RN, MSN, HACP Chief Nursing Officer PIH Health Downey Hospital
View this article in the May 2026 Flip Mag.
In this Article: Career Advice, Leadership and Management, Nursing Workforce
