CINCINNATI, OH (January 23, 2025) – UC Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Tara Williams, DNP, RN, as the new Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of UC Medical Center.
Effective January 19, Williams now oversees the academic medical center’s nursing staff, including oversight of its various specialty divisions such as the Critical Care Division, Women’s Health, Psychiatry, Medical-Surgical Division, Emergency Medicine, Clinical Nurse Education, Trauma, and Nursing Professional Development. Her role is pivotal in enhancing patient care outcomes, advancing nursing education and fostering a culture of growth and continuous improvement for UC Medical Center, which has more than 6,300 employees and more than 700 licensed beds.
“I am thrilled to have Tara Williams in this important leadership position at UC Medical Center,” said Robert Wiehe, SVP & Chief Operating Officer of UC Health. “With her extensive experience and deep commitment to patient care, she is uniquely positioned to guide our nursing team toward even greater excellence. Her vision for nursing at UC Medical Center will elevate our staff and the care we provide to our community.”
Tara Williams joined UC Health in 2021 as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer for the UC Medical Center Critical Care Division and has served as the leader of its Medical-Surgical Division since 2023.
With over 25 years of nursing and leadership experience, Williams began her career at Mount Carmel Health System, where she held increasingly senior roles. A transformational leader, Williams has led results-driven, multidisciplinary teams across various subspecialties and points of care. She is passionate about fostering a culture of excellence and engaging nurses at the bedside through shared governance, ensuring that nursing decisions are guided by those closest to patient care. She succeeds Teri Grau, RN, who will retire this spring after a storied 30-year nursing career.
“I am deeply honored to serve our greater Cincinnati and UC Health community as Chief Nursing Officer of UC Medical Center,” stated Williams. “I look forward to working with our dedicated teams to provide the highest standard of care for our patients while fostering an environment that supports our staff in their valuable work."
In addition to her work at UCMC, Tara is an adjunct faculty member at Miami University, where she shapes the future of nursing education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Healthcare Leadership from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
UC Health is Greater Cincinnati’s only adult academic health system delivering world-class care across four inpatient campuses, 70+ outpatient offices, and over 2 million patient visits annually. UC Health shapes the next generation of healthcare leaders by providing medical training and education to more than 700 residents.