New Chief Nursing Officer Takes the Helm at Cleveland Clinic Akron General

In January 2019, Sheila A. Miller, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, took the helm as chief nursing officer for Cleveland Clinic Akron General.

In her role, Miller leads nursing strategy and practice for Akron General’s more than 1,700 registered nurses. Miller says ensuring that nursing caregivers provide the highest quality care for Akron General’s patients is her top priority.

“I’m looking forward to building on the great work of the talented caregivers at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, resulting in accomplishments such as being redesignated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) as a Magnet®-recognized hospital,” Miller says.

Tenured experience and a local connection

Miller is a long-time nurse leader with more than 30 years of nursing experience, including 12 years as an Akron General nursing director for various clinical areas.

Most recently, she served as chief nursing officer at Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, leading the organization in earning ANCC’s Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® designations, as well as The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center certification.

She was also associate chief nursing officer of clinical practice for Cleveland Clinic health system and chief operating officer of South Pointe Hospital where she worked to advance and integrate nursing practice across all Cleveland Clinic locations, collaborating with multiple disciplines to improve quality and patient outcomes.

“Sheila is a known and respected leader in quality patient care strategies, relationship building, team management and more,” says Cleveland Clinic Executive Chief Nursing Officer K. Kelly Hancock, DNP, RN, NE-BC. “Her commitment to the professional practice of nursing is exemplary and her leadership abilities are second to none. She is transparent, encouraging, supportive and driven to succeed. With her strong background and personal connection to Akron General, she is the perfect leader for this role.”

Committed to advancing nursing care

Throughout her career, Miller has proven excellence in quality efforts and in the improvement of the professional status of nursing through standardization of policies and procedures, professional practice model development, and implementation of evidence-based standards.

Her professional activities include public speaking and presenting as well as writing for publication. She is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Ohio Organization of Nurse Executives and serves as a Lead Appraiser for the ANCC’s Pathway to Excellence program. She is also an avid community service volunteer for multiple organizations, including those aimed at improving health and education.

Miller received her doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and her master’s degrees in nursing (MSN) and business administration (MBA) from the Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and Weatherhead School of Management. She earned her associate’s degree in nursing at Cuyahoga Community College.

Miller is a recipient of Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing’s Hann Award for Excellence and Administration, the Cleveland Clinic Zielony Nursing Institute’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2018 Business Leader of Excellence Award from the Warrensville Heights (Ohio) Area Chamber of Commerce.