Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital promotes Elishia Gifford, RN, BSN, to Nurse Manager for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

As Nurse Manager of the NICU, Gifford will have the responsibility of oversight for daily operations of the NICU, nursery, lactation, childbirth education and outpatient outreach programs, as well as budgetary responsibility. Gifford has 16 years of experience in Maternal Child Nursing and has been with Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital for four years serving as the Labor and Delivery team lead and scheduler.

Prior to joining the Saint Thomas Health team, Gifford served as a labor and delivery nurse at Murray Calloway County Hospital in Kentucky. Gifford received her certification for the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support in Obstetrics.

"Elishia has been an invaluable member of our team for the past four years, and we are excited to see her continue to excel in her new leadership role," said Stacey Beaven, Chief Nursing Officer at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital.

Gifford earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Paducah Community College in Paducah, Kentucky, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Murray State University.

When Gifford is not working at Saint Thomas Health, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She attends the Experience Community Church and enjoys giving back through community service.