Ken Grubbs, DNP, RN, has been named COO of the Joint Commission, making him the first nurse to hold the role in the organization’s 75-year history.
The Joint Commission announced the leadership appointment Oct. 13. Effective Jan. 1, 2027, Dr. Grubbs will succeed James Merlino, MD, who was recently named the Joint Commission’s eighth president and CEO. When he steps into the COO role, Dr. Grubbs will keep both of his current roles.
Dr. Grubbs will also continue serving as chief nursing executive and executive vice president of accreditation and certification operations, roles he has held since joining the organization in June 2023.
Before joining the Joint Commission, Dr. Grubbs spent nearly 20 years at Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, where he served in several leadership roles, culminating as vice president of regulatory and accreditation services. He began his healthcare career as a front-line nurse in a Tennessee emergency department, according to the Joint Commission.
“In making this appointment, I wanted to ensure our leadership reflects the realities of patient care,” Dr. Merlino said in a news release. “Nurses are at the center of healthcare delivery and among our most important partners, and Ken’s experience and perspective will help keep us closely connected to the organizations and communities we serve.”
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
