Deborah Browning, USA Health chief nursing officer and interim administrator, has been named CEO of Children’s and Women’s Hospital, USA Health announced.

The organization said Browning was chosen after a nationwide search.

“I believe this is a time of unprecedented growth for our hospital and I look forward to leading the teams responsible for best meeting the healthcare needs of our community,” said Browning.

As interim administrator, Browning  oversaw renovation and expansion efforts of the only pediatric emergency center on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Children’s & Women’s Hospital is Alabama’s only free-standing inpatient facility dedicated to providing care to children and women.

“We have been so impressed with what Debbie has accomplished in the relatively short amount of time she has been in leadership positions at Children’s & Women’s Hospital,” said Owen Bailey, USA Health CEO and senior associate vice president for medical affairs. “It was clear she is who we need leading our efforts to continuously provide high-quality and compassionate healthcare to the children and women on the Gulf Coast.”

Dr. John V. Marymont, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama, praised her knowledge of the field.

“With her extensive experience working within academic health systems, Debbie understands that evidence-based practices produce the best patient outcomes,” he said.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.