HCA's TriStar Division recently appointed Velinda Block DNP, RN, NEA-BC, as chief nursing executive. In this new role, Block oversees nursing and nursing practice for more than 5,800 nurses who support patient care in 22 hospitals and related care areas serving communities in Middle Tennessee, Chattanooga, Southern Kentucky, Northwest Georgia, and Northeast Atlanta.

Block has more than 34 years of experience, most recently serving as senior vice president and system CNO for KentuckyOne Health based in Louisville. Block earned her DNP degree from the University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Nursing and her master's in Nursing Administration from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She completed her undergraduate nursing degree at the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing in Athens.