Hildreth has served BMH for longer than 20 years
Special to The Island News
Beaufort Memorial has appointed an experienced – and familiar – nurse leader as the expanding health system’s first Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO).
Ashley Hildreth, MSN, RN, CEN, SANE, brings more than 20 years of experience at Beaufort Memorial to her new role, reinforcing nursing leadership as the health system continues its growth across the Lowcountry.
Most recently, she served eight years as Beaufort Memorial Corporate Director of Quality and Regulatory Affairs and Patient Safety Officer, leading systemwide quality improvement, infection prevention, disease-specific certifications and regulatory compliance initiatives.
As ACNO, she will support nursing staff and leaders across the expanding system, strengthening workforce development, clinical consistency and patient-centered care as Beaufort Memorial prepares to open its second hospital in Bluffton early next year.
“Ashley represents the impact of developing our leaders from within,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “She has grown alongside our organization for more than two decades, and her deep expertise in quality, regulatory compliance and patient safety makes her exceptionally well-suited for this role. As our first Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, she will be instrumental in supporting our nursing teams and advancing excellence across our expanding health system.”
Hildreth started at Beaufort Memorial as a new graduate nurse in the Emergency Department after beginning her career as an EMT and paramedic. She eventually became ER charge nurse and later assistant emergency department director, where she helped support the organization’s transition to the current Pratt Emergency Center.
In 2018, she moved into organization-wide quality leadership, guiding Beaufort Memorial compliance with federal and state regulatory agencies and The Joint Commission while fostering a culture of safety and accountability. She successfully led the organization for multiple certifications in Joint Commission Disease Specific Programs, including Total Joint for Hip and Knee Replacement, Chest Pain and Advanced Stroke certification.
Stepping into her new chapter as ACNO, Hildreth said that the experience she gained working in Quality and Patient Safety will be a tremendous support, especially when it comes to organizational knowledge and connections within the community. As Beaufort Memorial continues to grow, her role will position the evolving community health system for future success in workforce development, nursing excellence and consistency of compassionate, skilled care as the Beaufort Memorial Bluffton Community Hospital opens its doors.
“I grew up with Beaufort Memorial. As the organization has grown, I’ve grown,” she said. “As more people come to Beaufort and the surrounding areas, we’re expanding our reach. All that growth has been very exciting, because we are growing with the needs of our community. Every time the community has a need, Beaufort Memorial fills that gap and figures it out, and I’m excited to continue to be a part of that impact as ACNO.”
The Orangeburg native earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Chamberlain College of Nursing. She lives in Beaufort with her husband Nate and their three daughters.