ST. LOUIS — Ascension Living has promoted Debra Valkenberg to the position of chief nursing officer.
Valkenberg will provide strategic and operational leadership across all nursing services functions and care delivery models throughout Ascension Living while promoting alignment within Ascension’s national health system.
“During times of massive industry change, Debra will ensure that we are resourced to lead the country in clinical outcomes and satisfaction,” says Danny Stricker, Ascension’s chief operating officer.
Valkenberg most recently served as Ascension Living’s senior director of clinical operations. Under her leadership, the senior living organization made significant gains in quality ratings and improved nurse leadership retention as well as clinical survey results.
Prior to joining Ascension Living, Valkenberg served as the senior divisional director of clinical services for Brookdale Senior Living. Over her career in nursing, she has served in a variety of areas, including divisional clinical operations; regional quality improvement; national and divisional Minimum Data Set (MDS) support; community nurse leadership; and direct care in pediatric and telemetry units.
Valkenberg earned her nursing degree from Excelsior College in New York. She is a certified Resident Assessment Coordinator, a nationally recognized gold standard in resident assessment in the long-term care nursing profession.
Ascension Living, based in St. Louis and part of Ascension, is a faith-based senior living provider with communities in 11 states and the District of Columbia.