TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | APRIL 1 - APRIL 7, 2022
9
BY BILL PARRY
Having served at St. John’s
Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway
for her entire professional
career over more than three decades,
Hermelina “Lin” Zabala,
MSN, RN, FNP, has been appointed
to the role of senior vice president
of patient care services and
chief nursing officer.
In her new role, Zabala will ensure
the high quality of nursing
services; use strategic planning
to balance efficient and optimal
patient care; create and maintain
standards of care; and monitor
the progress of quality initiatives.
Prior to her most recent role of
assistant vice president of quality
assurance and nursing operations,
Zabala has held various
roles since joining St. John’s in
1988 including staff nurse, nurse
educator, nurse manager and associate
director of nursing.
“Lin is an extremely competent
leader, and I am sure that
she will significantly contribute
to the success of St. John’s and
the health of our patients,” said
Dr. Christopher J. Parker, RN,
NEA-BC, CHCQM, executive vice
president and chief operating officer.
“She is a natural leader who
inspires others through positive
interaction and the tireless example
she sets with her own work
ethic.”
After receiving a St. John’s
recruitment brochure in her native
country of the Philippines,
Zabala began her career at St.
John’s in 1988. She left her family
and friends to take a chance
at establishing a life in the United
States. Upon her arrival, the hospital
arranged for her to live with
a family in the Rockaways for six
months while she adjusted to her
new life and role at St. John’s.
“Throughout the 30 years I
have spent at St. John’s, I had the
good fortune of having excellent
mentors including former Chief
Nursing Officer Gwen Pinckney,
and our Chief Operating Officer/
Former Chief Nursing Officer,
Dr. Christopher Parker,” Zabala
said. “I will never forget how nicely
I was embraced by the Rockaway
community when I came to
the U.S. without my family and
friends. I feel as though I owe this
community a great deal, and this
is what continues to motivate me
to help those in need.”
Celebrating more than 110
years of community care, the 257-
Hermelina Zabala has been appointed as St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s
new senior vice president and chief nursing officer.
Photo courtesy of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
bed St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
is the only hospital providing
emergency, inpatient and ambulatory
care to the densely populated,
underserved communities
on the Rockaway Peninsula. The
facility provides comprehensive
preventive, diagnostic, treatment
and rehabilitative services,
regardless of ability to pay.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by
e-mail at bparry@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital
appoints senior vice president
of patient care services
/QNS.COM
link
