North Alabama Medical Center Appoints New Chief Nursing Officer Formerly of STRHS-Lawrenceburg

Melissa Armstead, MSN, RN, has been appointed as the new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of North Alabama Medical Center (NAMC), a division of Lifepoint Health, beginning June 1st, 2025. Melissa, a Muscle Shoals native, brings to her position more than eighteen years of nursing leadership experience and a strong dedication to patient-centered care. Armstead returns to North Alabama with a passion for serving the community that shaped her. “Coming home to serve the people of Florence and the surrounding areas is a profound honor,” said Armstead. “I am dedicated to fostering a culture of compassion and excellence at NAMC, ensuring our patients receive the highest quality care while supporting our incredible nursing team.” Armstead, most recently served as CNO at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System (STRHS) – Lawrenceburg, a Lifepoint health center in Lawrenceburg, TN, since June of 2023. She was a member of the hospital’s executive team when it received Lifepoint Health’s 2023 Operational Excellence Award. Armstead will lead quality improvement projects, supervise nursing operations, and strengthen staff development initiatives in her role as CNO. She has a long history of leadership positions in acute care settings, where she successfully applied cutting-edge patient care models and enhanced clinical results. Armstead graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). A Certificate for Professionals in Patient Safety is another credential she possesses. Her hiring is a major advancement in NAMC’s mission to promote regional healthcare excellence. Congratulations to Melissa Armstead on her new position at North Alabama Medical Center!