UAB Hospital has named Dustin Diggs, DNP, RN, FACHE, as chief nursing officer, effective immediately.
A national search was conducted for the role, and Diggs was selected as the best candidate to lead UAB Hospital’s nursing teams and support continued growth in nursing practice, operations, and patient care.
Diggs has served as interim chief nursing officer for UAB Hospital since January 2026. As chief nursing officer, Diggs will lead nursing practice and operations across UAB Hospital, supporting nurses and clinical teams while maintaining a strong focus on patient care, safety, and outcomes.
“UAB Hospital’s nurses are central to our mission of providing life-changing care, and this role requires a leader who understands the complexity of our organization and the needs of our teams,” said UAB Hospital CEO Brenda Carlisle. “Through a national search, Dustin stood out for his operational experience, his commitment to nursing excellence, and his ability to build strong relationships across clinical teams. I am confident that he will continue providing the leadership needed to support our nurses and advance patient care.”
Prior to being named interim chief nursing officer in January, Diggs served as associate chief nursing officer, providing leadership for the medical divisions, Women and Infants Services, and UAB Hospital-Highlands. Since joining UAB Medicine in July 2023, he has worked to advance new models of care, improve patient flow, and strengthen operational performance – including a more than 15% reduction in divisional inpatient wait times.
With more than 18 years of healthcare leadership experience, Diggs’ background spans nursing, hospital operations, and executive leadership. Before joining UAB Medicine, he held senior leadership roles at Ascension St. Vincent’s-Birmingham, LifeLink of Georgia, and Grady Health System, where he supported complex clinical environments and safety net care.
Diggs earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice in executive leadership from the UAB School of Nursing, along with a Master of Science in nurse anesthesia and a Bachelor of Science in nursing. He is board-certified by the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Diggs will work closely with hospital and health system leaders to support continued momentum for UAB Hospital’s nursing teams and the patients they serve.