St. David's HealthCare announces vice president of women's and children's services
Austin, Texas — St. David’s HealthCare has named Dawn Nichols, D.N.P., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., as the vice president of women’s and children’s services for St. David’s HealthCare and HCA Healthcare’s Central and West Texas Division. HCA Healthcare is St. David's HealthCare's national hospital operating partner. Nichols assumed her new role in June.
As vice president of women’s and children’s services, Nichols is responsible for guiding the strategy, business development and operational coordination of the women’s and children’s service lines. She will also collaborate with facility and division executive teams and physicians to enhance and expand these services.
“Dawn brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision to this new role, and we are pleased to welcome her to the team,” David Huffstutler, president and chief executive officer of St. David’s HealthCare, said. “Her leadership will be essential as we work to further strengthen and expand our women’s and children’s services across Central Texas. I am confident she will help us continue to elevate care and access for the families we serve.”
Nichols joins St. David’s HealthCare from Texas Health Resources in North Texas, where she spent more than 20 years in various leadership roles. Most recently, she was the director of nursing for Texas Health Frisco, where she oversaw perioperative, women’s and infant’s services, as well as patient transport. In 2019, she played a critical role in the opening of Texas Health Frisco, a joint venture between University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Health Resources.
Previously, Nichols was the director of women’s, infant’s and children’s services at Texas Health Plano, where she led the hospital in becoming the first Level IV designated NICU in Collin County. She has also held several other nurse leadership roles since beginning her career as a nurse.
Nichols earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Texas at Tyler in 2024. She also has a Master of Science in nursing administration and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington.