Hendrick Health chief nursing officer announces retirement

Hendrick Health announced today that Susie Cassle, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, system vice president and chief nursing officer, plans to retire April 2, 2021. She has been with Hendrick for more than three decades.

“On behalf of Hendrick Health, we want to express our sincerest appreciation for Susie’s excellent leadership during her tenure at Hendrick,” said Brad Holland, president and CEO for Hendrick Health. “Susie is well respected by her peers and the entire nursing staff, and has been instrumental in shaping nursing leadership in Abilene.”

Cassle received her bachelor's degree in nursing from the Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing in 2004 and a Master of Nursing Administration in 2007. She also holds an advanced nurse executive certification.

Cassle began at Hendrick as a staff nurse for surgical services in 1976. She left Hendrick briefly in 1980 and returned in 1987 to her previous role in surgery. Cassle has served in various nursing director roles since 2000, including systems manager for Surgical Services, manager of Nursing Informatics, director of Nursing Informatics and director of Trauma and Women’s and Children’s Services. In February 2013, Cassle was promoted to assistant vice president and has served as vice president and chief nursing officer since May 2015.

Under Cassle’s leadership, Hendrick has continued to uphold the tenants of a Pathways to Excellence hospital designation, which recognizes a healthcare organization’s commitment to creating a positive practice environment that empowers and engages nurses, and has achieved multiple designations from The Joint Commission. Cassle has served on the Texas Organization of Nursing Leadership Board and on the Texas Organization of Nurse Executives Board of Directors. She is also a past Abilene Chamber of Commerce board member and is a Texas Hospital Association’s Leadership Fellow. Susie currently serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Texas.

“Throughout the years, Susie has mentored many nurses and nurse leaders,” said Holland. “She has made an indelible impact on Hendrick, and we are grateful for her dedication, service and leadership.”

Susan Greenwood, BSN, MBA, RN, FACHE, system vice president of quality, will replace Cassle as chief nursing officer in April. Greenwood joined Hendrick in January 2020 and currently oversees Quality, Risk Management, Corporate Compliance and Patient Relations, and serves as the Corporate Compliance Officer. She has been working in healthcare for more than 30 years and served as chief nursing officer for Eastland Memorial Hospital District in Eastland prior to coming to Hendrick.

“With her wealth of healthcare experience, Susan leads with confidence and grace,” said Holland. “She was a natural choice to step into the role of CNO at Hendrick.”

Greenwood began her nursing career as a staff nurse and clinic manager in Monticello, Arkansas, which predated her long and successful tenure at St. Bernard’s Healthcare in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She is a registered nurse and earned an associate of applied science in nursing from North Arkansas College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. She completed a master’s degree in business administration from Ellis College of Business at New York Institute of Technology. Greenwood is also a Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives and a certified professional in Healthcare Quality. In addition, she previously served on the Texas Organization of Nurse Executives Board.