Virpal Donley appointed Children’s Hospital vice president and associate chief nursing executive

Virpal Donley, inpatient unit director and nurse manager of the Pediatric and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PICU/PCICU) and Critical Care Transport Team, has been promoted to the position of UC Davis Children’s Hospital vice president and associate chief nursing executive. Her new role, effective immediately, reflects the institution’s commitment to strong nursing leadership and the delivery of exceptional care to the children and families served.

Donley will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Children’s Hospital, while continuing to advance nursing excellence, clinical quality and patient- and family-centered care across the organization.

“Virpal has demonstrated outstanding leadership, a deep commitment to nursing practice and a passion for fostering the care of our critical pediatric patients in her 15 years of progressive leadership of the PICU/PCICU and Critical Care Transport Team,” said Christine Williams, chief nursing executive and chief nursing informatics officer at UC Davis Health. “Her commitment has been instrumental in advancing clinical outcomes, building multidisciplinary programs, supporting professional development and fostering a culture of excellence within the Children’s Hospital.”

Donley’s contributions include participation in the Nurse Recognition Committee and the Equitable Hiring Practice Cohort. She has also served on the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Executive Committee and as a CMN grant review coordinator. She will continue to serve as interim inpatient unit director and nurse manager of the PICU/PCICU and Critical Care Transport Team until a permanent replacement is announced.

Donley succeeds Brenda Chagolla, a long-time nursing leader who will soon retire.