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Nursing Leadership

Elizabeth Smith CNO

As Chief Nursing Officer I am fully committed to leading our team in the delivery of high-tech, high-touch, quality patient care. My role is to foster an environment founded upon evidence-based practice, to encourage personal and professional development and growth. Also, I aim to empower my team to take part in the decision-making process through participation in shared governance to positively impact the provision of care. Additionally, I aim to cultivate and enhance the potential of our staff as well as recruit talent whose skills will align with our mission, vision, values and philosophy. 

Our nursing leaders will provide the guidance to help identify and create improvement initiatives and provide the tools needed for advancement. Through encouragement and productive feedback, nurses are empowered to deliver compassionate and effective care. Through the implementation of best practices, nurses will drive optimal outcomes. If you are looking for a cutting-edge practice environment where you can pursue a career path in a variety of specialties, I challenge you to take advantage of the opportunity to join our spirited team.

Thank you!

Elizabeth Smith, DNP, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
University of Miami Hospital & Clinics (UMHC)

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.
Joel A. Barker

Our Nursing Leaders

Jeannette Garcia Slanker, MSN, APRN, FNP, PMHNP, CPON®
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
UHealth/UMHC
Ambulatory Clinics, Infusion Centers, and Pediatric Services

Deborah Anne Piehl, MSN-Adm/Ed, RN
Executive Director, Nursing
Professional Practice, Magnet and Nursing Program Accreditation (UMHC)

Hilda Brito, MSN, RN-BC
Executive Director, Nursing
Professional Development (UMHC)

Doreen Ashley, MSN, DNP, APRN
Executive Director, Nursing 
Critical Care for UHT & SCCC, Dialysis for UHealth & SCCC, Critical Care Educator, PCU and Stepdown 

Lina Utrera, BSN, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CPAN
Executive Director, Nursing 
BPEI and BPEI Satellites

Kathy Zanelli, BSN, RN-BC
Executive Director, Nursing 
University of Miami Medical Group (UMMG), Plantation/Kendall Satellites, and Lennar Foundation Medical Center

Nancy Johnson, BSN, RN, MSHCA
Associate Vice President, Clinical Operations
Digestive Health Service Line, Care Coordination (CM, UR, SW),Wound Care
Center, Inpatient Ostomy & Wound Consult Team, Hyperbaric Medicine

Stephanie Moss, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC
Executive Director, Clinical Operations 
UHealth & SCCC - IR/Radiology/Cath Lab & CV Service Line

Clemencia Silk, MSN, BSN
Executive Director, Clinical Operations
Surgical and Perioperative Services UHealth

Nicole Doell, BSN, RN
Executive Director, Clinical Operations 
Ambulatory Services for SCCC Main & Satellites Oversight

Lauren Gjolaj MBA, BSN, CCRP
Executive Director, Strategic Operations
Oncology and Non-oncology Infusion Services for SCCC Main & Satellites Oversight, Infusion Scheduling and UR Outpatient for UMHC

Anne Lee, MBA, CCRN, RN
Executive Director, Clinical Operations
UHealth Non-Invasive Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine - UHealth, Cardiovascular Medicine Clinic – UHealth

Miriam Levy MT, CIC
Executive Director
Infection Control/Employee Health SCCC/UMHC & ABLEH/BPEI

Jessica MacIntyre, APRN, NP-C, AOCNP
Executive Director, Clinical Operations
Site Disease Group, Research Clinic Phase I, Cancer Survivorship, Oncology Social Work, Cancer Support Services, Patient/Family Advisory Council

Cathy Rosenberg, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC
Executive Director, Operations
Hospital Base ICU NPs, Ortho/Neuro NPs, & Ortho/Neuro Clinic, Outpatient APRNs at UMMG

Debra Chinquee, MSN, APRN, OCN
Administrator for Adult Stem Cell Transplant Program and Adult SCT Director of Advance Practice Providers

Tara Cheung, BSN, RN
Director, Case Management

Melinda Edmonds Raines, BSN, RN
Director, Nursing
Non-Invasive Cardiology RNs, Cardiology Clinic RNs/CNAs and Heart Aware, and Structural Heart Nursing Coordinator

Irene Collado, BSN, RN
Director, Clinical Practice
Ortho/Neuro

Kimar Estes MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CEN
Executive Director of Nursing
UHT & Bascom Palmer Emergency Departments

Lauren Gallegos, BSN, RN, CPHON
Director, Nursing
Infusion Critical Practice for SCCC Main & Satellites Oversight

Tamara Gort, BSN, BA, RN, ONN-CG
Director//SDG /Nurse Navigator

Cristina Herrera, MSN, APRN, AOCNP
Director, Advance Practice 
Hematology/Oncology Division

Pilar Hombreiro, BSN, RN, NBRC-RRT, CPFT, NPS
Director, Pulmonary Medicine
UHealth Respiratory RNs

Terri Jennings, BSN, RN
Director, Nursing
Peri-Anesthesia Services/SPU/PACU, & Ambulatory UHealth

Viviane Leveille-Charles, BSN, RN, MPH NE-BC
Director, Nursing 
Outpatient Services, BPEI 

Mike Pankey, MBA, ASN, BA
Director, Nursing
Surgical Services Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI)

Katie Perez, PhD, RN
Director, Nursing
Research Infusion Services for SCCC Main and Satellites Oversight

Frederick Soriano, BSN, RN, CGRN
Director, Nursing
GI Procedures/Lab, and Call Center (GIPU)

Lillian Soto, MSN, APRN-BC
Interim Director
Cardiovascular Services & Vascular Lab

Mirella Villasuso, MSN, BSN, APRN
Director, Nursing
Digestive Health, Motility Lab, and Crohns and Colitis Clinic, Infusion

Lee Weirich, BSN, RN, CNOR
Director of Nursing, Perioperative Services
The Lennar Foundation Medical Center 

Karleen Bien-Aime MSN, RN, OCN
Director of Nursing, North Satellite Comprehensive Treatment Units
UMHC & SCCC