New CNO named

Tammy Brock, RN, MSN, has been named Rockcastle Regional’s new Chief Nursing Officer.

Brock, a registered nurse for 29 years, has served the organization in a variety of roles, both as front line staff and in management positions, since she started in 1991. She has been the quality director/clinical risk manager for the last 10 years.

“I am excited to be taking on this role for Rockcastle Regional,” she said. “It’s an honor to be in a position to help our organization continue to meet its patients’ needs with our focus on quality and exceptional patient care.”

As CNO, Brock is leading a 300-employee department of the hospital, which consists of emergency services, acute care, outpatient care, as well as a 127-bed ventilator unit, the largest of its kind in the nation.

Brock replaces Cindy Burton, who after 10 years as CNO, is stepping into the role of director/clinical risk manager for the quality department, a position that she held prior to becoming CNO.

She has overseen the nursing staff through a tremendous period of growth. Meanwhile, the organization’s reputation for quality has also soared, as evidenced by numerous state and national awards for patient care. Nurses are a key to that success.

“In our particular organization, the chief nursing officer is the chief clinical officer,” Burton said. “That person must constantly be monitoring the clinical care and level of quality we are providing to our patients.”

The transition has been in the works for more than six months. Burton and Brock officially switched roles in June; however, preparations for the change began at the end of last year with the two nurses meeting weekly to bring each other up to speed on their new duties and ensure open communication for ongoing projects within each department.

“We are growing so much and so many changes going on, this prevents a disruption in the solidarity of our nursing department and our organization,” Burton said. “The goal of this transition has been that we don’t skip a beat.”  

“The great thing is that it’s not like Cindy is leaving the organization,” Brock said. “She’s still here as a resource.”

“The importance of the role of Chief Nursing Officer cannot be overstated in our organization,” said Stephen A. Estes, President and CEO of Rockcastle Regional. “That’s why we were so deliberate in our transition. Mrs. Burton has provided exceptional leadership for the department, and we know Tammy will do the same. Our goal has been to achieve seamless continuity through this process.”

Brock is ready for the challenge of leading in an ever-shifting healthcare environment.

 “Healthcare is a constant state of change,” Brock said, “but workforce development and staff retention will always be a focus. The key to having the highest level of care for our patients is to have the right people taking care of those patients.”

With major additions completed in 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2017, Rockcastle Regional is one of the region’s fastest growing healthcare organizations. Brock says to meet the demands of that growth, the nursing department must also continue to develop and grow.

“We cannot provide care or offer new services without the nurses to support that,” Brock said. “Rockcastle Regional has done a phenomenal job building our physician team and bringing these providers back to our community. Now, we want to replicate that for nursing.” 

Mr. Estes noted the uniqueness of continuing to have such experienced and qualified nursing leadership.

“This is a win-win for us,” he said. “There are not many healthcare organizations out there than can claim their two most senior nursing positions represent a combined 70 years of experience to their individual facility.”