Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital has announced Kristy Ahlgrim as its new Director of Nursing.
A registered nurse at Saint Thomas Rutherford since 1994, Ahlgrim has served medical-surgical and oncology patients as a bedside RN for more than 14 years. She offers 12 years of management experience in oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, observation, wound care, and IV therapy. Ahlgrim was made Interim Nurse Director in January 2019.
“Kristy has been a vital member of the Saint Thomas Rutherford community for more than 24 years,” said Gordon Ferguson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital. “She is a gracious leader who always strives to further staff education and enhance the patient experience.”
Ahlgrim has been recognized with various professional awards, including the Nursing Leadership Award and the MTMC Star Award for Reverence. In addition to serving as Vice-Chair of the Professional Practice Policy Council and as preceptor for newly-hired nurse managers, Ahlgrim is responsible for hiring and coaching unit team members. She leads various staff education initiatives.
A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Ahlgrim is chemotherapy-certified and holds oncology nurse certification.
ABOUT ASCENSION SAINT THOMAS HEALTH
In Tennessee, Ascension’s Saint Thomas Health operates nine hospitals in addition to a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities that cover a 68-county area and employ more than 8,000 associates. Across the state, Saint Thomas Health provided more than $127 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2018. Serving Tennessee for 15 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system, operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 151 hospitals and more than 50 senior living facilities – in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.sthealth.com.
