Deborah Zimmermann named Chief Nursing Officer at VCU Health System

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System announced today that Deborah T. Zimmermann, RN, MSN, has been named chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services.

Zimmermann will be responsible for the overall management of the complex nursing divisions within MCV Hospitals and Clinics, including administration, financial operations, nursing patient outcomes and clinical patient care services. 

Zimmermann comes to the VCU Health System from Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., where she was senior vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer.

Among many accolades, Zimmermann is recognized for successfully leading Rochester General’s efforts to be designated a Magnet Health Care Organization – the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s highest level of recognition of nursing excellence and quality patient care. She also was named a Magnet Commissioner in 2006 and co-authored the revised 2009 Magnet standards for designation and re-designation.

“The VCU Health System was the first health care organization in Central Virginia to achieve Magnet designation, and under Deborah Zimmermann’s leadership, we will continue to provide the highest quality of care to our patients,” said John Duval, MCV Hospitals CEO. “She brings a wealth of experience and talent as a nurse executive and her enthusiasm is contagious.”

During her 23-year career at Rochester General, Zimmermann also served as vice president of hospital operations, chief patient care executive, employee health services director and nurse practitioner. In addition, Zimmermann served as a captain in the United States Army Nurse Corps.

Zimmermann has earned numerous professional certifications as well as held leadership positions in professional organizations such as the New York Organization of Nurse Executives, Finger Lakes Work Force Collaborative and advisory boards of several colleges and universities.

Zimmermann received her B.S. degree in nursing from Niagara University, Niagara, N.Y., and her Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Rochester, N.Y.