Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Gloucester, announced last week the appointment of Lanell Williams, RN, MSN, as the new Chief Nursing Officer at the hospital. In this role, she will have executive leadership for nursing functions at RWRH.

Williams has been with RWRH for more than 29 years. She has served in a variety of nursing roles and nursing leadership roles, including the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO), Director of Critical Care Unit, Manager of Medical/Surgical Department, and Manager of Inpatient Services.

More recently, Williams was the Interim CNO, demonstrating exceptional leadership, dedication and a deep commitment to the patients and team members at RWRH.

“Lanell’s experience and unwavering commitment to quality care have made a significant impact on RWRH,” said Shelly Johnson, president of RWRH. “I am excited to welcome her into her new role as CNO and I know that our providers, team members and patients at RWRH will benefit greatly from her leadership.”

Over her tenure at RWRH, Williams has played an integral role in supporting hospital operations, including integrating nursing processes to improve patient care, mentoring and supporting the hospital’s nursing team and the provision of clinically competent services in accordance with standards of excellence.

Recently, Williams led RWRH to their third redesignation as a Pathway to Excellence organization by collaborating with the nursing team to ensure appropriate standards were in place and work was submitted to the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) through the multi-year review process.

“I am truly honored to step into this role and continue serving our incredible team and patients,” said Williams. “Over the years, RWRH has become my home and is truly an extension of my family. I look forward to working alongside our nursing team, as I have for 29 years, to enhance the health and well-being of our patients and community.”