Children’s & Women’s Hospital chief nursing officer named to Becker’s Hospital Review list of CNOs to Know
Valerie Heinl has led or supported improvement initiatives in areas such as accreditation readiness, infection prevention, medication safety, antibiotic stewardship, and telemetry utilization. She has also chaired or served on numerous hospital committees focused on quality, policy development, and workplace safety.
By Casandra Andrews
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Valerie K. Heinl, MHA, MSN, RN, CNL, NE-BC, chief nursing officer at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review 2025 list of Chief Nursing Officers to Know, which recognizes nurse leaders for their impact on patient care, quality and workforce development.
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Heinl was promoted to CNO in November 2025 after serving as director of clinical compliance and regulatory services at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. She joined USA Health in 2002 as a staff nurse and advanced through a range of leadership roles, including nearly a decade as a nurse manager at University Hospital and service as a nurse educator and surgery coordinator.
In 2025, Heinl completed a prestigious American Organization for Nursing Leadership fellowship. In her current role, Heinl oversees nursing operations, quality, and professional practice at Children’s & Women’s Hospital, part of USA Health, the academic health system for the University of South Alabama. Her work focuses on patient-centered care, safety, and clinical excellence, while supporting professional growth and engagement among nursing staff.
“Valerie is a highly respected leader who consistently puts patients and nurses first,” said Deborah Browning, MSN, RN, CENP, chief executive officer of Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Her depth of experience, commitment to safety and passion for developing our teams make her an outstanding chief nursing officer and a deserving recipient of this national recognition.”
Heinl has led or supported improvement initiatives in areas such as accreditation readiness, infection prevention, medication safety, antibiotic stewardship, and telemetry utilization. She has also chaired or served on numerous hospital committees focused on quality, policy development, and workplace safety.
She holds graduate degrees in healthcare administration and nursing, and is board certified as a nurse executive. Becker’s Healthcare’s annual list highlights CNOs who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and measurable impact within their organizations and across the nursing profession.
