Titus Gambrell, a registered nurse and doctor of nursing practice, has been named Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of St. Mary's Health Care System after serving in the role on an interim basis for several months.

Gambrell came to St. Mary's in 2013, serving in progressively more responsible positions as regional director of case management, bed control/transfer center, and clinical education. He brings nearly 40 years of nursing experience and 30 years of leadership to his new role.

As CNO, Gambrell has executive responsibility for nursing functions at all three hospitals in the St. Mary's system of care. In addition to supervising nursing care at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, he works closely with the nursing directors at St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia and St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro, Regina Hooper and Celia Covington, respectively.

"Titus brings a collaborative approach to leadership and service," said St. Mary's President and CEO Don McKenna in announcing Gambrell's promotion. "His leadership will allow our ministry to continue on its path toward excellence."

Gambrell, a native of Hart County, started his nursing career in Hartwell, where he earned his practical nurse diploma from the Northeast Georgia School of Practical Nursing and went to work  at Ty Cobb Healthcare System. He went on to earn his Associate's degree in nursing from Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, SC, his bachelor's degree in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing in St. Louis, Mo., and his master's degree in nursing from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He continued his studies and research at UA and earned his doctoral degree in nursing practice in 2016.

During his career, Gambrell has served at numerous hospitals and healthcare institutions, including staff nurse at Crawford W. Long Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, senior corporate director for Integrated Health Services of Baltimore, MD, director of nursing services with Ty Cobb Healthcare System in Hartwell, and associate director of care management with Athens Regional Health System.