Baptist Women's Hospital names new CNO
Current CNO Carol Thetford to retire after 43 years of service
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and the Spence and Becky Wilson Children Hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer Carol Thetford retired on May 11th, 2023, after a 43-year career with Baptist.
Thetford began her career in the newborn ICU at Baptist East after graduating from Baptist School of Nursing in 1980. She was soon promoted to NICU manager and has served as CNO at Baptist Women’s Hospital for the last 21 years.
“Carol Thetford leaves behind an indelible legacy at Baptist Women’s and Children’s hospitals,” said Allison Bosse, CEO and administrator of Baptist Women’s Hospital and Baptist Children’s Hospital. “We have an abundance of gratitude for Carol’s dedication to Baptist and our community, her contributions to the advancement of quality care for women and children, and her commitment to Baptist’s healing, preaching and teaching mission.”
The DAISY Foundation honored Thetford with the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes those who have devoted their life’s work to the compassionate care of others.
April Fox is the incoming chief nursing officer for Baptist Women’s Hospital.
“We are thrilled to welcome April Fox as the chief nursing officer for Baptist Women’s Hospital and Baptist Children’s Hospital,” said Bosse. “Her experience in women’s and children’s health is impressive and will contribute to Baptist’s continuation of providing exceptional care for women and children in the Mid-South."
Fox completed her doctorate in nursing practice at Grand Canyon College and brings more than 25 years of experience to the hospital. She most recently served as the interim director of Maternal and Fetal Services at HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast. Throughout her career, Fox has worked for women’s and children’s hospitals in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, South Dakota, Washington, Montana and Idaho.