On Oct. 16, Michelle Robertson will begin her new role as chief operating officer for Saint Thomas Health, which is part of the Ascension health system. The COO position is part of a dyad leadership structure with Greg James, MD, who serves as the system's chief clinical officer.

Prior to joining Saint Thomas, Robertson served as CEO of Seton Family of Hospitals and COO of Ascension Texas. Robertson has been an Ascension associate for 27 years. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a BSN and from the University of Colorado with an MBA. A licensed registered nurse since 1989, Robertson began her practice in Austin as a pediatric nurse at the Children's Hospital of Austin.