USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital CEO named to Becker’s Healthcare list
Becker’s Healthcare is proud to celebrate these exceptional women leaders for their unwavering dedication to advancing healthcare. Their vision, influence, and leadership are instrumental to the success of their organizations. — Becker’s Hospital Review
By Casandra Andrews
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Children’s & Women’s Hospital CEO Deborah Browning, MSN, RN, CENP, has been named to the 2025 “Women Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review.
Becker's released the most recent edition of its national list in June. Read the full story here.
“Debbie is an exceptional leader who is advancing compassionate, family-centered care at Children’s & Women’s Hospital every single day,” said Natalie Fox, DNP, PNP-BC, interim CEO and chief physician enterprise officer at USA Health. “Our healthcare teams, patients and their families continue to benefit not only from her experience in nursing and healthcare leadership, but also from her heart. We are excited to see what the future holds with her at the helm of our hospital.”
In 2021, Browning joined USA Health, the academic health system for the University of South Alabama, as chief nursing officer at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. Later, she stepped into the role of interim administrator. She was promoted to CEO in 2023.
During her time in leadership with USA Health, Browning led a $20 million expansion of the only pediatric emergency center on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, doubling its size and enhancing care capabilities with 30 treatment areas. The hospital has also gained national recognition by partnering with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to address maternal health disparities, becoming one of only five hospitals in the U.S. selected for the institute’s postpartum equity initiative.
Browning also has led teams that launched impactful programs at the hospital, such as at-home blood pressure monitoring and medical alert bracelets for at-risk mothers, which have since been adopted in a statewide pilot by the Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative.
“As the former administrator at Children’s & Women’s Hospital, it has been wonderful to see the innovative programs initiated by Debbie that are helping to enhance patient care and making the community a healthier place,” said Owen Bailey, MSHA, FACHE, chief executive officer and senior associate vice president for medical affairs at USA Health. “One of her greatest assets is the ability to create spaces where our families have the best experience possible, and our staff feel valued and fulfilled in their roles.”
Since becoming CEO, Browning has expanded the hospital’s child life team to provide 24/7 pediatric emergency center coverage and created new outreach roles to bridge healthcare gaps for underserved communities. The hospital also earned recognition as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care and has received numerous grants thanks to the addition of a grant writer.
Among her other accomplishments, Browning completed the American Organization for Nursing Leadership’s Nurse Director Fellowship and serves on several AONL committees at the national level. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, and a master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of Phoenix.
Prior to joining Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Browning served as chief nursing officer at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. She has been responsible for women’s and/or children’s service lines at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina.
