RUHS Chief Nursing Officer Earns National Recognition
Thursday, February 5, 2026
MORENO VALLEY, CA (Feb. 5, 2026) – Serving as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for one of the busiest hospitals in Riverside County is a nonstop responsibility of meeting critical standards, strengthening systems and ensuring patients receive the highest quality care. Leah Patterson with Riverside University Health System – Medical Center (RUHS – MC) excels in this role and was recently recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review in its 2025 “CNOs to know” list.
Patterson is one of only 274 CNOs nationwide recognized by the publication. The selected nursing leaders are “at the forefront of the profession, tackling staffing challenges, overseeing budgets, and creating pathways for the growth and development of emerging nurses,” according to Becker’s.
“Leah is a tremendous leader who has made waves of positive change at the Medical Center, across the health system and in communities countywide,” said Jennifer Cruikshank, CEO of RUHS – Medical Center and Clinics. “She provides exceptional service and compassionate care to patients, and her sincerity and warmth are deeply felt by all our RUHS team members and the families she serves. She’s an incredible CNO.”
Patterson oversees 2,100 registered nurses and clinical support staff. Some of her responsibilities include ensuring regulatory standards are met, leading efforts to improve patient outcomes and engaging staff.
Under Patterson, the nurse turnover rate at RUHS is just 3% — far below the national average.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Patterson opened an additional 121 hospital beds at the Medical Center in response to patient surges. She also helped rebuild the Medical Center’s nursing staff after the pandemic through innovative recruitment efforts.
With Patterson’s leadership, RUHS has earned multiple Joint Commission certifications and advanced designations and received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report for maternity care and specialty performance.
“Leah has done so much for our health system, and we can’t wait to see what she does next as we embark on new projects and continue to provide exemplary healthcare in the region,” Cruikshank added.
To learn more about RUHS, visit RUHealth.org.
