Vidant Beaufort Hospital has named Patti Hudson as the new vice president of patient care services at the hospital. Hudson replaces Lou Montana-Rhodes, who served as chief nursing executive since 2013.

Hudson has served in leadership roles throughout her career at Vidant Health and comes to the position form an extensive background in inpatient, outpatient and emergency services, as well as experience in clinical education and quality, according to a press release from Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

“Patti brings a tremendous amount of heart and passion to her new role here,” said Harvey Case, president of Vidant Beaufort Hospital. “What excites me the most about having Patti on our team is the passion that she brings. She loves nursing, she loves leading people and she loves making a difference. We are excited to have her on our team.”

Hudson is a native of eastern North Carolina who studied at East Carolina University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1992 and Master of Science in nursing in 1996. She continues to work as an adjunct faculty member with the ECU School of Nursing and served as president of the school of nursing advisory board from 2004-2006.

Hudson said she’s happy to join the Vidant Beaufort team.

“I have had the opportunity to work alongside many of these team members in my previous role, and I know that there is something special happening here at Beaufort. The focus is always on what is best for our patients and how we get better every day,” Hudson said.

Rhodes has moved to Vidant Health, as their vice president of experience for Vidant Health. Case said he appreciated Montana-Rhodes’ past contributions to Vidant Beaufort.

“She loves our hospital and our community, but has a great opportunity to lead the experience work that is so important to our health system.”