Mays Cancer Center, School of Nursing hire chief nursing officer

Jeremy Viles, D.N.P., M.B.A., RN, has been hired in a new dual role at UT Health San Antonio. He will serve as the inaugural chief nursing officer for the Mays Cancer Center, the newly named center of UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, and as assistant dean of the clinical practice in the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing.

Dr. Jeremy Viles

Ruben Mesa, M.D., director of the Mays Cancer Center, said, “Hiring our inaugural chief nursing officer signals the incredible importance we place on high quality, integrated, world-class nursing practice at the Mays Cancer Center. We are deeply grateful for the amazing partnership and vision of the School of Nursing in developing this transformational role.”

Cindy Sickora, D.N.P., RN, vice dean of practice and engagement in the School of Nursing, added: “Establishing a chief nursing officer position in the School of Nursing creates a tremendous opportunity for nursing students, faculty and nursing researchers who are interested in pursuing or exploring careers in nursing in the field of cancer care. This is a unique opportunity for the School of Nursing, as Dr. Viles brings expertise in nursing, management and finance. We believe his expertise will be extremely important as we educate the next generation of health care providers. Housing the CNO position in the School of Nursing also brings academic rigor to nursing practice at the cancer center.”

Dr. Viles joins UT Health San Antonio from MD Anderson Cancer Center, UT Health’s sister institution in The University of Texas System. At MD Anderson, Dr. Viles served as the executive director of projects and operations for the MD Anderson Cancer Network since January of 2014. He led the development of clinical operations for many of MD Anderson’s affiliations, including the partnerships with UT Health San Antonio and UT Northeast in Tyler, in addition to many other consulting projects worldwide.

Prior to that, he worked at MD Anderson as clinical administrative director of the Cardiopulmonary Center (October 2009-December 2014) and of the Endocrine Center (May 2013-December 2014). He was director of Surgical Services at Spring Branch Medical Center, nurse manager of Methodist Hospital in Houston and held several other nursing positions since beginning his career as a U.S. Army Reserve medic in 1993.

Dr. Viles completed his Doctorate in Nursing Practice in executive leadership at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in May 2016. He received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Joseph’s College of Maine. He is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives and holds a certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a board-certified nurse executive.



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