NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Appoints New Chief Nursing Officer
Verna Mitchell has over 15 years’ experience in skilled nursing facilities and post-acute care
Oct 20, 2026
New York, NY – Today NYC Health + Hospitals announced the appointment of Verna Mitchell, BSN, RN as the new Chief Nursing Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler, providing executive leadership and strategic clinical oversight of more than 450 nursing professionals. As Chief Nursing Officer, Mitchell will oversee budget and resources, training and development, regulatory compliance, and resident safety among other administrative responsibilities. Mitchell has served as Deputy Director of Nursing at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler since 2020, and prior to that served as Associate Director of Nursing when she joined the health system in 2019.
Mitchell is an accomplished nursing executive with over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in skilled nursing facilities and post-acute care with a focus on resident safety, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, training and development, and a person-centered care approach.
“I am committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence in nursing practice. I believe empowering our nursing team through mentorship, collaboration, and ongoing professional development is essential to improving the quality of care we provide. As Florence Nightingale once said, ‘Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it, we’re going backward,’” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Chief Nursing Officer Verna Mitchell, BSN, RN. “As a nurse leader, I prioritize recognizing each team member’s unique strengths and talents, focusing on creating growth opportunities and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Most importantly, I am committed to ensuring that every resident at Coler receives high-quality, compassionate, person-centered care that promotes dignity, respect, and well-being.”
“Verna Mitchell brings a steady hand, deep clinical knowledge, and a genuine commitment to excellence to her new role as Director of Nursing at Coler. I am excited to see her lead our nursing team, support our staff, and continue strengthening the quality of care we provide to our residents,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Chief Executive Officer Nataliya Yakovleva, LNHA, LMSW.
“Verna Mitchell’s appointment as Chief Nursing Officer reflects her strong leadership, deep experience in skilled nursing and post-acute care, and unwavering commitment to resident safety and quality outcomes,” said Natalia Cineas, DNP, MSM-N, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FADLN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at NYC Health + Hospitals. “Having served Coler in progressive nursing leadership roles, she brings valuable institutional knowledge and a proven dedication to supporting nursing professionals and advancing person-centered care.”
“Verna offers a rare mix of skill, proven leadership, and personal history with Coler that makes her uniquely qualified to lead the facility’s nursing workforce,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Post-Acute Care Chief Nursing Officer Marian McNamara, MSN, RN. “Her previous roles in nursing give her firsthand insight into Coler’s staff, residents, and the diverse communities they serve. We are excited for the future of our award-winning nursing home on Roosevelt Island and confident that nursing will continue to provide the high-quality care standards Coler is known for.”
Mitchell has played a pivotal role in advancing Coler’s nursing practice and supporting initiatives focused on quality, safety, regulatory readiness, and improved resident outcomes. Her leadership experience includes workforce planning, survey readiness, infection prevention, patient safety, policy development, staff competency and training, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI), Antibiotic Stewardship, Professional Governance, and initiatives to reduce preventable hospitalizations.
Mitchell earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Medgar Evers College/CUNY, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Brooklyn College/CUNY. She is a Registered Professional Nurse and is a member of the American Nurses Association.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Rafael Dominguez, 646-694-4910; rafael.dominguez@nychhc.org
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler
NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler is an 815-bed skilled nursing facility located in Roosevelt Island, providing comprehensive skilled nursing, medical and rehabilitative care for more than 70 years. Coler is committed to serving New York City and the surrounding communities, while setting an example as a leader in memory care programming and rehabilitation. Ranked #10 in New York’s “Best Nursing Homes 2026” by Newsweek and received a rating of “High-Performing” in Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Nursing Homes 2026, the facility earned a Five-Star CMS rating which designates them among the top 10 percent of skilled nursing facilities in the country. The facility also ranks in the top 1st quintile in the New York State Department of Health Nursing Home Quality Pool. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/coler.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.