Donna Herrin, MSN, RN, CNAA, FACHE, senior vice president and chief nurse  executive at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has been elected president-elect of the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), a prestigious national organization of nurse executives and affiliate organization of the American Hospital Association. 

“The vision and mission of AONE is to shape the future of healthcare through innovative nursing leadership,” said Herrin. “I am honored to be chosen by the AONE members to lead the organization during a very challenging time in health care.”

Selected through the voting of AONE’s 6,000-plus members, Herrin will serve as AONE’s president-elect for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2008 and will become president for a one-year term beginning in 2009. 

“This is an incredible honor for Donna and we’re excited and extremely proud that she’s been selected as the AONE President,” said Peggy Troy, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “AONE has tremendous influence nationally in regard to innovations in leadership, nursing, and patient care delivery. Donna’s background and experience make her a perfect fit for this post and we’re fortunate to have her on our executive team.”

A registered nurse for more than 30 years, Herrin has been an AONE member for 20 years.  She has served in a number of AONE national offices, including AONE Nominations Committee representing Region 4 in 1995-96; the AONE Board of Directors for Region 4 in 1998-99; and Treasurer’s of AONE from 2004-2005. In addition, Herrin served on the American Hospital Association (AHA) Operations Committee. She served as president of the Alabama Organization of Nurse Executives, as well as secretary of the Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives. 

Herrin holds academic appointments as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and as Assistant Dean for Methodist Practice for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the State University of New York and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Calhoun Community College.  She is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the International Nursing Honor Society.  She has authored many professional articles, serves as an appraiser for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program and is on a number of other professional advisory groups. Herrin has been recognized by the Tennessee Hospital Association for her professional and community service, previously receiving that organization’s Executive Nurse of Distinction award.