We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Darnell, MSN, RN, CENP, as the Chief
Nursing Officer of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. With her extensive expertise
in workforce strategy, regulatory compliance and clinical operations, Jessica will provide vital
leadership to our nursing teams as they strive to deliver outstanding care to our patients and the
communities we serve.

Jessica brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including Clinical Nurse Educator at Ascension Saint Thomas West, Nurse Manager and Director of Nursing. Most recently, she served as Chief Nursing Officer at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville. In 2023, she also began her role as Chair of the Nursing Executive Council for Saint Thomas Health. A passionate advocate for women’s health, she actively contributes to the board of directors for AncoraTN, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating human trafficking in Tennessee.

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Kettering College of Media Arts in Dayton, Ohio, and a Master’s degree in Nursing with a specialization in Nursing Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. She resides in Arrington, Tennessee, with her husband, Jonathon, and their three children: Olivia, Jack and Florence.