Nicklaus Children’s Health System has announced that 30-year Nicklaus Children’s nursing leader, Debbie Hill-Rodriguez, has been appointed to the position of Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) for South Florida’s only free-standing hospital exclusively for children.
Hill-Rodriguez started her career as a clinical nurse and served in many key nursing leadership roles throughout her tenure. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Executive Nurse leadership and is certified as a nurse executive through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
“I cannot think of a better ACNO,” says Shannon Odell, vice president and chief nursing officer of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. “Debbie is the pinnacle of excellence in nursing. She brings together the best in nursing practice, leadership and most importantly, commitment to our patients and nurses. She understands what it is to work at the bedside and to lead the most dedicated team of nurses in the industry — the Nicklaus Children’s nursing team. I’m thrilled to be working more closely with her and to work alongside such a dedicated nurse, leader and member of the Nicklaus Children’s family.”
In her role as ACNO, Hill-Rodriguez will support Odell by providing executive level management, assist with strategic planning and help develop policies and procedures that will help advance nursing practice for patients and nurses. Together, Odell, Hill-Rodriguez and the more than 1,200 nurses on staff at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital will continue to lead and shape the best in pediatric care for tens of thousands of children across South Florida and around the globe.
“I am honored to serve as ACNO,” Hill-Rodriguez said, “For more than three decades I have personally cared for children and their families who have turned to our health system during their time of need. I’ve also been responsible for leading and supporting nurses in my management roles. To be chosen to stand alongside Shannon and our nursing administration demonstrates what it means to be among the nation’s top 10% of nursing teams (ANCC Magnet Designation) is truly the highlight of my career.”
Hill-Rodriguez will have operational oversight for delivering high-quality nursing care across all Nicklaus Children’s inpatient units as well as the Nicklaus Children’s Center for Nursing Excellence.