Hendrick Health announces new vice president of quality

Hendrick Health is pleased to announce the promotion of Heather Ray, DNP, RN, CNRN, to the new executive-level position of vice president of quality.

Ray has been with Hendrick Health for 20 years, most recently as Abilene market chief nursing officer. As she transitions to her new role immediately, Ray will oversee strategic planning and oversight of patient safety, performance improvement, quality, infection prevention and regulatory compliance.

“Ray’s appointment is a significant step forward in our continued commitment to our strategic pillar of safety and quality,” said Brad Holland, president and CEO of Hendrick Health.

An Abilene native, Ray began her career at Hendrick Health as a staff nurse. Her leadership skills were recognized early, and she was promoted to nurse manager of Neurology/Telemetry Unit in 2008. The unit’s patient experience and employee engagement scores increased noticeably during her tenure. In subsequent advanced nursing leadership roles, Ray successfully opened three new nursing units, reduced turnover for registered nurses and was an active leader in providing quality outcome measures and achieving accreditation status for Hendrick Health’s stroke and heart programs.

Ray earned associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing at Angelo State University, in San Angelo, Texas, a master’s degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, and a doctorate of nursing practice from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.