Aiken Regional Medical Centers names new Chief Nursing Officer
Jan. 5—Aiken Regional Medical Centers has appointed a new chief nursing officer.
Cathy Sumner was appointed to the position Jan. 2, according to a media release from Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
Sumner will oversee hospital operations pertaining to nursing's quality care and will lead programs to increase nursing's overall satisfaction and retention and ensure consistency in the organization's nursing practice standards, the release said.
Sumner joined Aiken Regional in September 2021 as assistant chief nursing officer and served as interim chief nursing officer since August 2023, the release said.
"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to further my career with Aiken Regional," Sumner said. "I have a passion for nurses and look forward to leading and working alongside our nursing team to help elevate their careers while maintaining our hospital's commitment to providing quality, compassionate care to our community."
She has more than 18 years of healthcare experience, working in maternal and neonatal health, as staff nurse to director of nursing, before entering healthcare leadership.
Summer has a bachelor's in nursing and master's in nursing administration from South University.
"Cathy has been and will continue to be a valuable part of our hospital's executive leadership team," said Matt Merrifield, chief executive officer at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. "She has been instrumental in increasing satisfaction scores and implementing positive change with patient care at the forefront."
