Michele Hasselblad, DNP, RN, NE-BC, has been named Chief Nursing Officer for Vanderbilt University Hospital, effective Feb. 1. In this role, Hasselblad will lead nursing practice for the 957-bed hospital, including the recently opened Jim Ayers Tower.
She succeeds Robin Steaban, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, who will retire Jan. 30 after 35 years of service at Vanderbilt Health.
Hasselblad joined Vanderbilt Health in 2005 and has more than 30 years of nursing experience in leadership and practice. She has held numerous progressive leadership roles, including perioperative services, interventional cardiology, inpatient nursing, and as the associate nursing officer for the Medicine Patient Care Center. Her leadership has focused on advancing initiatives to improve patient outcomes, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating a culture of empowerment for nurses and leaders.
Since 2019, Hasselblad has served as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Adult Ambulatory Nursing, overseeing more than 200 clinical locations. Her tenure has been marked by significant growth, expansion of medical assistant practice, multiple quality and safety initiatives, and the achievement of Ambulatory Magnet designation — a national recognition of nursing excellence that is held by only a few ambulatory organizations.
“I look forward to incorporating Michele’s collaborative mindset and leadership in advancing patient-centered care at VUH. Her experience in managing widespread nursing populations will be crucial as we continue to grow,” said Lee Ann Liska, MBA, President and Chief Operating Officer for Vanderbilt University Hospital.
A Minnesota native, Hasselblad practiced as a clinical nurse for nearly 15 years, including 10 years at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, before moving to Nashville and transitioning to leadership. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in 2010 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020.
Her commitment to evidence-based practice (EBP) led her to complete a competitive postdoctoral fellowship at The Ohio State University’s Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare, where she focused on gaining expertise in EBP and implementation science to improve patient and leadership outcomes.
“This is a well-deserved and earned opportunity for Michele. The impact of her leadership is evident in the success of our ambulatory nursing initiatives and her passion for elevating our teams. Her commitment to our nurses will further support and strengthen our workforce at VUH,” added Karen Keady, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, System Chief Nursing Officer for Vanderbilt Health.
“I want to thank Robin Steaban for her many years of service and her passion for nursing excellence that has shaped nursing practice at VUH,” said Hasselblad. “I am honored to continue building on this legacy, looking forward to strengthening collaborative partnerships across our organization to support a satisfying workplace culture for nursing as we make a difference for our patients and lead nationally in innovative care delivery and evidence-based practice.”
“As the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Adult Ambulatory Operations, Michele made a significant impact on the success of our clinics. I appreciate and am extremely grateful for Michele’s many contributions in Ambulatory and I look forward to working with her in her new role,” said Wendy Monaci, MBA, Executive Vice President for Adult Ambulatory Operations.
To ensure a smooth transition, Deonna Taylor, PhD, MSN, ACNP will assume the role of Interim Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer of Adult Ambulatory Nursing, effective February 1, 2026. Taylor has served as the Associate Vice President and Associate Chief Nurse for Adult Ambulatory Nursing since November 2024 and has held many previous leadership positions since joining Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2003.
Outside of work, Hasselblad enjoys life on her family’s hobby farm with her husband of 35 years, Greg, and their Great Pyrenees. They have five adult children, several of whom live locally. In her time at home, she enjoys gardening, culinary arts, playing the piano, and quiet mornings watching the sunrise.
