October 2, 2014

Interim chief nursing officer named for LLU Children's Hospital

Helen Staples-Evans, DNP, has been selected to serve as interim chief nursing officer at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. She is currently executive director of staff development at Loma Linda University Medical Center. The appointment took place effective Oct. 1, 2014, pending board review and approval.

Staples-Evans has served at Loma Linda University Medical Center for more than 30 years, with experience in a wide variety of settings. She worked as both a clinical and medical ICU nurse, and has had faculty status teaching pediatrics. She was lead faculty for critical care, administrative nursing supervisor, clinical nurse specialist and nurse manager in pediatric hematology/oncology.

“My two areas of work-related passion involve meeting the needs of children and the education of our staff to provide superior care to our patients,” says Staples-Evans. “I am honored to be able to continue to serve at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.” She holds memberships in many professional organizations, and is also the recipient of many honors and awards over her career.

Staples-Evans holds her doctor of nursing practice and master’s degrees in nursing from Loma Linda University, where she was the recipient of the Dean’s and Leadership awards. She completed the certificate program in nursing administration and received certification in nursing administration from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is also a founding member of the Inland Empire Branch of the Society of Pediatric Nursing.

Kerry Heinrich, chief executive officer of Loma Linda University Medical Center, expressed delight and confidence in Staples-Evans as she moves to her new job.

Staples-Evans will take the responsibilities of Jennifer Cruikshank, who resigned as chief patient care director of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Cruikshank will take a position as chief operating officer at Riverside County Regional Medical Center.

The outgoing and incoming leaders have agreed to help with the ongoing separate licensure process for the Children’s Hospital, and to continue to lead out in surveys to support that process in coming weeks.

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