Dr. Staples-Evans, senior vice president and CNO at Loma Linda University Health, oversees the 4,600-member nursing team, focusing on strategic leadership, professional development, retention and engagement. She has played a key role in enhancing the professional practice of nurses by developing programs such as the clinical ladder 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.
