Lora Duncan, MSN, RN, MBA, has been named Chief Nursing Officer for Optim Health System, a collaboration of Optim Imaging, Optim Therapy, Optim Surgery Center, Optim Medical Center-Screven, and the physician-owned Optim Medical Center-Tattnall. She was selected for the position following a nationwide search and will have oversight of all nursing practice and development.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lora to our leadership team,” said David Castleberry, CEO of Optim Health System. “I’m confident with her wealth of experience she’ll enhance our nursing practice in continuing to deliver compassionate care to our patients.”

Most recently, Duncan was Director of Nursing Practice and Professional Development at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, W.Va., a healthcare system that consists of four acute care hospitals with a total of 908 beds. In this position, she was responsible for providing strategic leadership and overall guidance to the system’s clinical practice and nursing service areas. Her scope of responsibility included more than 10,000 nursing professionals and coordination with 25 managers. She also served as the medical center’s nursing informatics specialist.

“I’m honored to be a part of the Optim team,” said Duncan. “It’s been obvious from the start that employees at all levels are excited and proud of their areas.  Everyone here is constantly looking for ways to improve and grow.”

Duncan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University.

She and her husband, Craig, are enjoying getting to know the Savannah area and exploring its sights and culture. The couple has two daughters; one is a teacher in Marietta and the other is a nurse who will relocate to Savannah in the near future.