After conducting a nationwide executive search led by healthcare leadership solutions firm B. E. Smith, Gila Regional Medical Center, has hired Pam Fulks to fill the role of chief nursing officer. A seasoned healthcare executive with more than 26 years of executive leadership experience, Fulks will assume her new duties at Gila Regional on August 29.

"Pam is an expert at developing and mentoring nursing leaders. Her proven success  building strong collaborative relationships with physicians and nursing staff is a perfect fit for our needs," said Brian Bentley, CEO, Gila Regional Medical Center.

Prior to joining Gila Regional, Fulks served as an assistant professor with the department of nursing at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark., where she taught medical surgical nursing and leadership, health assessment and advanced adult health for the university's BSN program. Her career has included executive leadership positions at multiple healthcare organizations, including several years as president and CEO of Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyo. Fulks completed a master's of science degree in nursing at University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Hospital Association, the American Nurses Association and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.