Frankfort Regional Medical Center recently announced that Tara Beth Anderson has been named chief nursing officer, effective Dec. 2.

Most recently, Anderson served as associate chief nursing officer for the three hospital Tulane Health System, part of HCA Healthcare, in New Orleans. While at Tulane, Anderson led initiatives that earned top quartile patient experience scores for Tulane Lakeside Hospital.

"Tara Beth is a proven leader with a devotion to nursing best practices, a dedication to patient and family-centered care, and a passion for the advancement of the profession of nursing," said Reed Hammond, chief executive officer of Frankfort Regional Medical Center. "Her skill set combines an enthusiasm for nursing with a vision to advance patient care and safety, which will help us continue to succeed at our mission and commitment to the care and improvement of human life."

Anderson began her career as a coronary critical care nurse at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and progressed into leadership roles including ICU clinical coordinator at Lake Cumberland Regional Medical Center in Somerset, Ky., and nursing executive director at Carteret Health Care in Morehead City, NC. Anderson served as chief nursing officer at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City, La., where she implemented a nursing residency program, restructured nursing operations and led quality initiatives to reduce readmissions and prevent falls in the hospital setting.

A native of Kentucky, Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and a Master of Science degree in nursing from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky. She is also certified in nursing administration through the American Nurses Association Credentialing Center.