Claire Zangerle Named AONL Chief Executive Officer and AHA Chief Nurse Executive
Press Release
CHICAGO – November 7, 2024
The American Hospital Association today named Claire M. Zangerle, DNP, R.N., chief executive officer of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and senior vice president and chief nurse executive of AHA.
In these roles, Zangerle will lead the work of AONL and the AONL Foundation for Nursing Leadership Research and Education to advance excellence in nursing leadership for its 12,000 members. She will also provide critical clinical expertise to the AHA, supporting key quality and workforce initiatives and ensure the perspective of nurse leaders is heard and addressed in public policy. Zangerle succeeds Robyn Begley, who is retiring and has served in these roles since 2018.
Most recently, Zangerle served as Principal of CMZ Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm focused on nurse leader coaching and nursing organization strategy. She is the former chief nurse executive at Allegheny Health Network and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio. Zangerle spent several years at the Cleveland Clinic where she served in a variety of roles, including as chief nursing officer, director of quality and accreditation and director of preventive cardiology. She began her nursing career at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.
"As a lifelong advocate for nurses and nurse leaders, I can’t imagine a better way to continue this work than with these important roles," said Zangerle. "It is such a critical time in health care and as we reimagine our approach and care models, the voices of nurse leaders are essential. I’m honored to be a part of the AONL and AHA team and look forward to getting to work.”
Active on national and local boards, Zangerle serves on the editorial boards of Nursing Management and Nursing Administration Quarterly and the public board of Rasmussen University. She also serves on the advisory boards of AvaSure, Incredible Health, C-Plan, Simpli and the Texas A&M University School of Nursing. She is a current member of the AONL Board of Directors and former board of trustee for the AHA.
Zangerle holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Texas Christian University, a master’s in business administration (Healthcare) from Lake Erie College, a master’s in nursing administration from Kent State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Texas A&M University. She is a fellow of AONL and the American Academy of Nursing and is board certified as an advanced nurse executive with the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
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About the American Organization for Nursing Leadership
As the national professional organization of more than 12,000 nurse leaders, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership is the voice of nursing leadership. Our membership encompasses nurse leaders working in hospitals, health systems, academia and other care settings across the care continuum. Since 1967, the organization has led the field of nursing leadership through professional development, advocacy and research that advances nursing leadership practice and patient care. AONL is an affiliate of the American Hospital Association. For more information, visit AONL.org/AONL.
Media Contacts:
Stacey Chappell
AONL