Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin Campus Announces New Nurse Executive

HOUSTON (August 19, 2025) – Texas Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce that Jennifer Pugh, DNP, an esteemed pediatric nurse practitioner and doctor of nursing practice, has been named Nurse Executive of Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin Campus.

Before joining Texas Children’s, Pugh served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer and Executive Director at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, Pugh directed over 250 Advanced Practice Providers across more than 35 divisions, including inpatient, outpatient and special services.

“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Jennifer Pugh as our new Nurse Executive at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin Campus,” said Dr. Jackie Ward, System Chief Nurse Executive and Senior Vice President at Texas Children’s Hospital. “Pugh is a passionate and highly skilled leader with a long and distinguished track record of outstanding nursing care. We are confident she will help us remain at the forefront of nursing excellence in the city of Austin, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team.” 

Pugh brings with her over 15 years of experience as a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner and more than 11 years in executive leadership. Her responsibilities included overseeing Magnet organizations, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Medical-Surgical and Intermediate Care Units, as well as Respiratory Care Department. 

“We are incredibly fortunate to welcome such an accomplished leader to our nursing team in Austin,” said Dr. Jeffrey S. Shilt, President of Austin and Central Texas at Texas Children's Hospital. “Texas Children’s is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout our global community, and that wouldn’t be possible without the more than 4,400 extraordinary nurses who are the heart and soul of Texas Children’s. We have the best nurses in the nation, who deserve the very best leaders like Jennifer Pugh.”   

About Texas Children’s Hospital 

Texas Children's, a nonprofit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health. The system includes the Texas Children's Duncan NRI; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children's care for communities north of Houston and Texas Children's Hospital North Austin, the new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin families. The organization also created Texas Children's Health Plan, the nation's first HMO focused on children; Texas Children's Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children's Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, visit www.texaschildrens.org. 

About Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin

Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin is a state-of-the-art, $485 million top-tier facility for children and women, led by some of the finest pediatric and women’s specialists in the nation. Located at 9835 North Lake Creek Parkway, Texas Children’s North Austin connects patients and families to the hospital's numerous subspecialties, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, fetal care and more. The 52-bed hospital and 170,000 square-foot outpatient building are housed under one roof, providing comprehensive and convenient care for patients and their families. The hospital features neonatal, cardiovascular and pediatric intensive care units, operating rooms, a sleep center and full-service diagnostic services for mothers and children, including a fetal center for advanced interventions. 

Learn more about Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin.