--- title: "Santa Cruz Maternity Hospital Names New CEO Connor Kent | Sutter Health" description: "Stephanie Connor Kent, a registered nurse who led nursing since 2017, is now permanent CEO of Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz." url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources/press-releases/sutter-maternity-surgery-center-of-santa-cruz-welcomes-new-chief-executive-officer" --- 1. [Home](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Media resources](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources) / 3. [Press releases](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources/press-releases) / 4. Sutter Maternity Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer # Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Connor Kent, a registered nurse who led nursing since 2017, is now permanent CEO of Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz. April 16, 2024 by Sutter Health ![Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/press-releases/SCK_Headshot_23-97231f21.jpg?h=2459&iar=0&w=1639 "Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer") SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz, part of the not-for-profit Sutter Health integrated network of care, recently celebrated the appointment of Stephanie Connor Kent to chief executive officer of the acute care hospital. Connor Kent, a registered nurse, has held the position of chief nurse executive at the hospital since 2017 and assumed additional responsibilities as interim chief administrative officer in 2023 while continuing her CNE role. “Stephanie’s skilled leadership has helped Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz achieve numerous certifications including Baby-Friendly Hospital, Advanced Perinatal Center of Excellence, as well as Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery and Robotic Surgery,” said Greater Silicon Valley Market President Kevin Cook. “We are so pleased that Stephanie is continuing her career at Sutter Health by stepping into the permanent CEO role, full-time.” As CNE, Connor Kent, who holds a master of nursing degree, oversaw all nursing care at Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz. She ensured that patients had an excellent healthcare experience during births, surgeries and other procedures at the hospital. She also planned and implemented one of the first drive-through COVID vaccination sites in Santa Cruz County, and in Sutter, during the early days of public vaccination efforts. Connor Kent previously led the family medicine and internal medicine service line at Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation. While at PAMF she helped implement an integrated behavioral health program across multiple primary care clinics. Prior to joining Sutter, Connor Kent was an emergency room nurse at the University of Washington and a public health nurse at Yakima Neighborhood Health Services in Washington State. Connor Kent began her new position as CEO on April 15, 2024. ## Topics [Pregnancy](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Pregnancy%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles) ## Labor and delivery Bringing a new life into the world deserves expert, compassionate care. If you're expecting a baby, our labor and delivery team can provide a safe, supportive birth experience tailored to your needs. [Learn more about Labor and delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/labor-and-delivery) ## Related articles ### [Maternity Care at Sutter Recognized for Quality](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/maternity-care-at-sutter-recognized-for-quality) ### [Sutter Hospitals Recognized for Excellence in Maternity Care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources/press-releases/sutter-hospitals-recognized-for-excellence-in-maternity-care) ### [Foundational $1.2M Gift Expands Healthcare, Access in Central Valley](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources/press-releases/foundational-1-2m-gift-expands-healthcare-access-in-central-valley) ### [Nurse Is Patient’s Hero for Saving Her Baby’s Life](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/nurse-is-patients-hero-for-saving-her-babys-life) [See all from Press releases](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources/press-releases) ## Check your Vitals Get the latest in health innovation, community impact and patient care from Sutter Health — delivered straight to your inbox. 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