Erlanger Leadership
Rachel Harris, BSN
Executive Vice President & Chief Nursing Executive
Rachel is a distinguished, enterprise-level nurse executive with 30 years of progressive clinical and operational governance across multi-campus healthcare systems. A transformative leader who successfully maintained zero agency-nurse reliance during pandemic- era crises while consecutively elevating nurse engagement scores over a three-year period. Adept at cultivating high-trust relationships with board members, medical staff, and community stakeholders to align multi-site clinical excellence with overarching corporate and financial goals.
Rachel is committed to building and sustaining a highly engaged, resilient workforce capable of delivering exceptional care in one of the region’s busiest Level I Trauma Centers. She has championed initiatives focused on reducing turnover, strengthening employee engagement, and fostering a culture where nurses and clinical teams feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Rachel is recognized for her innovative, forward-thinking approach to workforce strategy, ensuring that Erlanger remains at the forefront of trauma and academic healthcare while meeting the evolving needs of patients and caregivers. Equally passionate about the future of the profession, she is dedicated to developing a strong pipeline of healthcare talent through academic partnerships, workforce development initiatives, and leadership programs that prepare the next generation of nurses and clinical leaders.