Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1482626
Health Matters: Providence St. Mary Medical Center | 3 Welcome to the Family Sharon Brown, our new chief nursing officer, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the job. Following an exhaustive search earlier this year, we are excited to welcome Sharon Brown, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN, ONC to Providence St. Mary Medical Center as our hospital's new chief nursing officer. Brown joined our family after more than two decades at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. "While change can be hard, becoming part of this team has been a blessing," Brown says. "Everyone has been so welcoming." After accepting her new position, the nursing leader dove headfirst into her vital work alongside interim CNO Barbara Van Amburg, who helped bring Brown up to speed on important projects and initiatives. Since then, Brown has proven herself to be a dynamic leader who cares deeply about our caregivers, patients, visitors and community. "Sharon's positive attitude, robust understanding of the health care industry and work ethic have allowed her to easily transition into our culture," says Providence St. Mary Chief Executive Randall Castillo. "I have no doubt she will continue to elevate the already exceptional care we provide to our High Desert community." Following a brief stint at Chino Valley Medical Center, Brown began her career in earnest as an emergency department nurse at Arrowhead Regional in 2000. She then worked her way up through the hospital's ranks, achieving the position of associate chief nursing officer in 2019. That same year, she received the internationally known DAISY Award for Nursing Leadership. A MULTIFACETED BACKGROUND Brown put her expertise to work outside the hospital as well, teaching at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga and precepting for graduate- and doctoral-level students at California State University, Dominguez Hills, among other educational institutions. Brown co-authored a study on how methamphetamine can complicate traumatic injuries. The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine published her findings in 2018. From 2003 to 2008, she worked at Disneyland, caring for upwards of 300 people per day. Brown lives in Rancho Cucamonga with her husband, Steve, who works for the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District. They have two adult children, Tyler and Sydney. In her free time, she enjoys camping, traveling and gardening. In addition to her CNO role, Brown is also part of the 10-member Executive Leadership Team (ELT) at Providence St. Mary. Her presence on that decision- making body has been indispensable. "Sharon's curiosity, thoughtfulness and empathy will serve her well as she works to live the Providence Promise of 'Know me, care for me, ease my way,' " Castillo says. Health Care Is Personal Selecting the right health plan during open enrollment is important, but it can be overwhelming. You want affordable, high‐quality care for yourself and your loved ones. You want to feel confident that when you need care, you'll get the best there is. When you select a health plan that includes Providence, you'll have access to the best physicians from the largest, most comprehensive health care network in SoCal. Before you choose a plan, make sure Providence is in the network. At Providence, you'll get all this: convenient care close to work and home extensive network of specialists to meet all your health care needs in-person and virtual visits after‐hours care through our nurse advice line, urgent care or ExpressCare Providence app for connected care Call 855-967-6026 to learn more or visit us online at providence.org/open-enrollment.