Mission Health is pleased to announce that Ruth Kain, PhD, MSN, RN, NE-BC, has been named as its chief nursing officer (CNO), effective May 5, 2025. She will serve as the executive leader for all nursing operations across Mission Health.

“Ruth is a proven leader with a background in clinical operations and exceptional nursing excellence,” said Greg Lowe, chief executive officer of Mission Health. “Her experience in overseeing significant quality and patient safety advancements is invaluable as we continue to build upon our recognition as a top 50 U.S. hospital and meet the healthcare needs of Western North Carolina families.”

Kain brings more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, including six years with HCA Healthcare. Most recently, she served as chief nursing officer at MountainView Hospital in Las Vegas, where she provided executive leadership for the nursing team and ensured safe, effective and compassionate patient care for their patients. During her tenure, she received the DAISY Nurse Leader award in recognition of her helping the ER team during a difficult patient encounter. Recognized as a culture-builder, The Arc of Nevada presented Kain with a Nursing Administration Award for her work in developing the nursing leadership team at MountainView, while at the same

time developing and advancing the next generation of nursing leadership and listening to the voice of our nurses.

“Ruth has been a tremendous asset to our team during her tenure here,” said Hiral Patel, CEO of MountainView Hospital. “Ruth is connected to purpose and mission and always puts the patient first. She truly believes in advancing nursing culture and skills. We are sad to see her go, but we know Mission Health will be in good hands under her leadership.”

Prior to MountainView, Kain also served as chief nursing officer at HCA Healthcare’s Tulane Health System in New Orleans, where she helped navigate the complex and challenging landscape of the pandemic while at the same time responding to natural disasters in the form of hurricanes that impacted the hospitals. New Orleans City Business awarded her the 2020 Healthcare Hero Award for her leadership.

Beginning her bedside career in obstetrics, Kain has also worked in newborn services, cath lab, emergency services, trauma, and as a travel nurse. She received her Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership, from Indiana Wesleyan University, and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Indianapolis. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Indiana University.

Kain succeeds Melanie Wetmore, who is departing Mission Health after four years in Western North Carolina. During that time, Wetmore helped shape Mission’s nursing strategy including bringing a campus of Galen College of Nursing to Asheville to expand the future pipeline of nurses. 

Source: Mission Health.