News

April 5, 2021

St. Joseph Medical Center Appoints Associate Chief Nursing Officer

St. Joseph Medical Center recently announced that Michelle Ziakas, MSN, MBA, RN, will serve as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer. In her new role, Ziakas will partner with the Chief Nursing Officer to oversee safety and quality aspects of patient care and manage the hospital's workforce, ensuring that each nursing department has adequate support and resources to carry out their jobs effectively. 

"Michelle has the knowledge and experience to step into this position and help lead our frontline nursing staff as the hospital continues to strive for excellence on every level," said Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing Officer for St. Joseph Medical Center. "Michelle's ability to ascertain and analyze needs, forecast goals, streamline operations, and envision new program concepts will help bring St. Joseph Medical Center to the forefront of patient care in the Houston area." 

Before taking on the Associate Chief Nursing Officer's role, Ziakas served as the Director of Critical Care for the hospital. She worked with a multi-disciplinary team to create strategies for connecting patients and families with the clinical team. 

Ziakas has spent a large portion of her career with St. Joseph Medical Center, holding various positions, including Director of Surgical care, Director of Renal Care, and an intensive care unit (ICU) bedside nurse. She also held the titles of Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer at OakBend Medical Center, and Director of Critical Care and Nursing Administration at Memorial Hermann Katy. 

"St. Joseph Medical Center was the launching pad for my career, and it's home to me," said Ziakas. "I'm looking forward to leading our nurses and supporting them as they work to deliver excellence in patient care." 

Ziakas received her associate degree in nursing from San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas. She attended Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in nursing health care administration. She received her Master of Science in nursing health care administration and Master of Business Administration from American Sentinel University in Aurora, Colorado.