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Nursing leadership

TriStar Health�s chief nursing executive, Dr. Velinda Block, has dedicated her life to the profession of nursing. With the help of all of HCA Healthcare�s nurses, Dr. Block is leading the way with her advocacy work for patients and their caregivers.

Meet TriStar Health's Chief Nursing Executive

Our nursing leaders have dedicated their lives to the practice of nursing and are leading the way in innovation, high-quality and compassionate care. Meet our chief nursing executive:

Velinda Block, DNP, RN, NEA-BC

TriStar Health's Chief Nursing Executive

“By choosing to become an HCA nurse, you join an organization where you can have an entire career in one company. HCA has so many professional development opportunities and resources available for nurses to never stop advocating for patients when you know what’s in their best interest.”

Dr. Velinda Block is the first chief nursing executive for the HCA TriStar Division, bringing over 33 years of nursing leadership experience to her role as an executive advocate representing the voices of both nurses and patients across Southern Kentucky, Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.

Her passion for nursing as started in the 4th grade as she envisioned what it would be like to be a nurse. She went on to shadow in the ICU at her local hospital during high school. It was that experience that solidified her decision to bring outstanding care, influence and advocacy to patients.

Velinda’s dedication to enhancing the practice of nursing is evident through her continued nursing education, holding a Doctorate in Nursing from the University of Alabama Birmingham and Master of Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She is also certified as an Advanced Nursing Executive by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

She values the importance of self-care for the caregiver. Outside of work, she spends her free time with her family, enjoying the gardening and the outdoors. Dr. Block and her husband, Branson, have a son, Cole, and she is an avid Georgia Bulldog fan!