COVINGTON – St. Tammany Health System has named veteran nurse executive Lori Sumner, MSN, RN, as its new chief nursing officer. She brings more than three decades of progressive leadership experience in nursing operations, quality, patient safety and workforce development to the health system.
Sumner is scheduled to begin her new assignment in September.
She succeeds Kerry Milton, who retired in June following a distinguished career dedicated to advancing nursing excellence and compassionate patient care at St. Tammany Health System.
Most recently, Sumner served as chief nursing officer at Baptist Health Princeton Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, where she oversaw Patient Care Services for the 505-bed teaching hospital. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives to improve patient safety, strengthen nurse recruitment and retention, enhance patient experience and develop nursing leaders while maintaining an unwavering focus on quality and clinical excellence.
Prior to her role at Princeton Hospital, Sumner served as chief nursing officer at Baptist Health Walker Hospital in Jasper, Alabama; associate chief nursing officer at HCA Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee, Florida; administrative director of Critical Care at HCA Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida; and held a series of nursing leadership positions during more than two decades with Lee Health in Fort Myers, Florida.
“Lori is an accomplished nurse leader whose experience, integrity and collaborative leadership style make her an outstanding addition to the St. Tammany Health System family,” STHS President and CEO Joan Coffman said. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting nurses, fostering strong interdisciplinary partnerships and creating environments where both colleagues and patients can thrive. We are delighted to welcome Lori to St. Tammany and look forward to the leadership she will bring as we continue our mission of delivering world-class healthcare close to home.”
A registered nurse since beginning her career in 1992, Sumner earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nova Southeastern University and her Associate Degree in Nursing from Edison Community College. She has built her career around developing nursing leaders, strengthening quality and patient safety, advancing clinical excellence and expanding opportunities for professional growth.
Away from work, she enjoys the outdoors and being on the water.
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About St. Tammany Health System
The heartbeat of its community, St. Tammany Health System cares for patients and families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. It is recognized for quality, safety and service excellence by CareChex, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, Hospital Compare, Women’s Choice and US News & World Report. St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 and Ochsner Health work together in partnership to improve the community’s health and quality of life. Together, west St. Tammany’s top two independent health leaders represent the most complete system of care, aligning behind the common goals of improving access, expanding specialty care and making care affordable. Under their agreement, each retains its autonomy; neither manages nor owns the other. Self-supporting, not-for-profit STHS is A+ rated by Fitch and receives no tax funding. More at StTammany.health.