Williamson Health is pleased to announce its appointment of Ricky Yates, RN, MBA, as the organization’s new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) following an extensive 10-month national search.

“Ricky’s deep institutional knowledge and dedication make him the ideal choice to help lead our organization into the future,” said Phil Mazzuca, Williamson Health CEO. “His expertise, work ethic and strong relationships with our staff and physicians will continue to be invaluable assets to our organization.”

Yates, who has been serving as Interim CNO since August 2024, brings more than 25 years of dedicated service to Williamson Health. He began his career with Williamson Health as a first assistant and scrub tech at Williamson Medical Center, quickly advancing into roles in perioperative education and coordination. In 2005, Yates was named Director of Surgical Services, and, in 2022, he was promoted to Associate Administrator of Nursing for the healthcare system. In this role, he oversaw multiple clinical departments, including Med-Surg, Respiratory Therapy, EEG, EKG, PT, Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab, the Wound/Lymphedema Clinic and the Sleep Lab. He also led teams of nursing supervisors, the float pool, mental health techs and bed managers.

Yates holds degrees from Tennessee State University and Saint Francis University and earned his MBA in Healthcare from Belmont University.

“Williamson Health has been my home for more than two decades, and I am honored to continue serving in this new role,” said Yates. “I look forward to working with our incredible team to enhance patient care and support our nursing staff in delivering the highest-quality healthcare.”

ABOUT WILLIAMSON HEALTH | Williamson Health is a regional healthcare system based in Williamson County, Tennessee, with more than 2,300 employees across more than 30 locations and more than 860 physicians and advanced care practitioners offering exceptional healthcare across 60-plus specialties and subspecialties close to home. The flagship hospital, Williamson Medical Center, which recently opened its new Boyer-Bryan West Tower, offers extensive women’s services, state-of-the-art cardiology services, advanced surgical technologies, an award-winning obstetrics and NICU, leading-edge orthopaedics, outpatient imaging services, and distinct comprehensive emergency and inpatient services for both adult and pediatric patients. Other Williamson Health service providers include the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, The Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center, Williamson Health physician practices that are strategically located throughout the community, countywide Emergency Medical Services that include 18 rapid response units, Williamson Health Foundation, and multiple joint venture Vanderbilt Health and Williamson Medical Center Walk-In Clinics in Williamson County. Learn more about our many specialized services at www.WilliamsonHealth.org.