WVU Medicine chief nursing executive selected for Becker’s inaugural nursing advisory board

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Melanie Heuston, D.N.P., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., chief nursing executive for the WVU Health System, has been named to the inaugural Becker’s Chief Nursing Officers Advisory Board, a national group of nursing leaders who provide expert insight into nursing best practices.

Current nursing executives from leading healthcare organizations across the country were hand-selected by Becker’s Hospital Review editorial leadership to join the advisory board. This group will help guide Becker's editorial coverage and event programming on workforce, care models, and clinical quality. 

As WVU Health System’s inaugural chief nursing executive, Heuston provides strategic and operational leadership for more than 7,000 nurses across a 25-hospital network. In this role, she combines high-level strategy with a practical focus on mentorship and staff development, notably leading to the establishment of the innovative WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education to eliminate educational barriers and strengthen the regional healthcare pipeline.  

“It’s a privilege to be selected for Becker’s first CNO Advisory Board and collaborate with leaders from across the country,” Heuston said. “Healthcare is facing unique workforce challenges right now, and sharing practical strategies around retention, recruitment, and educational access is more important than ever. I look forward to bringing our regional insights to the national stage while learning from peers to better support our teams at WVU Medicine.” 

Heuston's appointment to the advisory board highlights her career-long dedication to advancing clinical education, workforce sustainability, and regional patient care.  

A recognized leader in her field, Heuston received the 2020 American Nurses Credentialing Center Certified Nurse Award (Nurse Executive, Advanced) and is a member of the 2023 Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship cohort. She has also written numerous peer-reviewed journal publications and presents regularly at national forums and conferences. 

To learn more about WVU Medicine, visit WVUMedicine.org.