Mercy Health Promotes Longtime Nurse to Cincinnati Market CNO

Michele Stokes, MSN, takes on the role after serving in an interim capacity.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Cincinnati-based Mercy Health has promoted Michele Stokes, MSN, to chief nursing officer of its Cincinnati market. Ms. Stokes assumed the role on February 10 after serving on an interim basis. She joined Mercy Health in 1994 and has held multiple nursing leadership roles across the Cincinnati region, including CNO and clinical director of Mercy Health-Fairfield Hospital.

Why it matters

This promotion highlights Mercy Health's commitment to developing internal talent and promoting experienced nurses into key leadership positions. As a major healthcare provider in the Cincinnati region, Mercy Health's nursing leadership plays a crucial role in ensuring quality patient care and driving strategic initiatives.

The details

In her new role as Cincinnati market CNO, Ms. Stokes will oversee the strategic and operational direction of nursing and care delivery across all practice settings in the Cincinnati region. She brings extensive experience and institutional knowledge to the position after nearly three decades with Mercy Health.

  • Ms. Stokes assumed the CNO role on February 10, 2026.
  • She has been with Mercy Health since 1994.

The players

Michele Stokes

A nurse who has been with Mercy Health since 1994 and was recently promoted to chief nursing officer of the Cincinnati market.

Mercy Health

A Cincinnati-based healthcare provider that has promoted Michele Stokes to the role of chief nursing officer for its Cincinnati market.

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The takeaway

Mercy Health's promotion of an experienced, long-serving nurse to a key leadership role demonstrates the organization's commitment to developing internal talent and maintaining continuity in its nursing leadership. This move is likely to provide stability and strong operational oversight for Mercy Health's nursing operations in the Cincinnati region.