Ascension Saint Thomas announced two key leadership appointments at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West. Misa Ewing has accepted the role of Chief Nursing Officer effective Jan. 12, and Ellie Michael will serve as the hospital’s new Chief Operating Officer effective Jan. 4.
Ewing brings more than 30 years of nursing leadership experience across academic and community hospitals and has built a record of success in change management, strategic operations and the development of innovative care models. She has led improvements across three Magnet designated health facilities and most recently served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, a Level 1 Burn and Trauma Center and academic medical center, as well as Sentara Heart Hospital. In that role, she oversaw approximately 1,600 full time employees and led major initiatives including the implementation of Virtual Nursing and the achievement of record high patient experience scores.
Earlier in her career, Ewing held leadership roles as Director of Patient Care Services at Sentara Leigh Hospital and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and as Senior Director of Women's and Children's Services at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Her accomplishments include establishing Virginia’s first inpatient Mobile WIC Clinic and creating a nursing clinic within a homeless shelter. She holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Georgetown University, master’s degrees in nursing and business administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University. She also holds certifications as a Nurse Executive Advanced, Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean practitioner.
“Misa is an exceptional nursing leader whose vision, expertise and passion for patient centered care will elevate the work at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West,” said Harrison Kiser, president and chief operating officer, Ascension Saint Thomas West. “Her track record of building strong teams, improving outcomes and advancing innovative care models makes her the right leader for this role. We are excited to welcome her to our ministry.”
Michael, who joined Ascension Saint Thomas in 2016, has served in several leadership roles across the system and brings extensive experience in finance and operations. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Operational Excellence, where she oversaw inpatient physician programs, the system staffing office and float pool, and the performance excellence team. Known as a collaborative and data driven leader, she has advanced key operational initiatives and strengthened support for clinical teams across the system.
Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Michael moved to Nashville in 2016. She is a graduate of Transylvania University and holds a Master of Health Administration from the University of Kentucky.
“Ellie has demonstrated exceptional leadership and an unwavering commitment to our mission,” Kiser said. “She approaches hospital operations with clarity, compassion and an ability to unite teams around shared goals. I am confident she will continue to elevate the work at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West in her new role. We are fortunate to have her stepping into this important position.”
