Trinity Health Michigan Appoints Michelle Peña to Regional Chief Nursing Officer of Statewide Health System
August 25, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Von Lozon
Pager: (248) 725-2400
von.lozon@trinity-health.org
LIVONIA, Mich. (Aug. 25, 2025) – Michelle Peña, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, has been appointed Regional Chief Nursing Officer of Trinity Health Michigan, effective Aug. 31. In this role, Peña will oversee nursing strategy and operations across the statewide health system, with a focus on clinical excellence, workforce development, patient safety, and operational efficiency.
The Regional Chief Nursing Officer is a key member of the health system’s executive leadership team, guiding nursing strategy across one of Michigan’s largest providers of care. Peña will report directly to Trinity Health Michigan President and CEO Shannon Striebich and will work closely with Dr. Caesar Gonzales II, who was recently named the health system’s new Chief Clinical Officer.
“Michelle is a highly respected, mission driven leader whose passion for nursing and commitment to excellence have elevated care across our west Michigan ministries,” said Striebich. “Her experience, collaborative spirit, and focus on patient-centered care make her perfectly suited to lead nursing strategy across our state. I am confident she will continue to inspire our teams and drive meaningful progress in quality, safety, and innovation.”
Peña brings more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience within Trinity Health. She most recently served as the Chief Nursing Officer of Trinity Health Grand Rapids, where some of her accolades include:
- Achieving Magnet® redesignation
- Launching West Michigan’s first accredited Nurse Residency program
- Implementing Trinity Health’s virtual nurse model, TogetherTeam Virtual Connected Care™
- Leading the response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Earlier in her career, Peña served as Clinical Services Director at Trinity Health Grand Rapids, overseeing emergency departments, trauma programs, critical care services, and urgent care centers. She was instrumental in launching the first stand-alone emergency department for Trinity Health Michigan, and she also led infrastructure projects that enhanced emergency care delivery. Her advocacy efforts have also focused on reducing human trafficking and workplace violence in the health care field.
“I am honored to be named the Regional Chief Nursing Officer and humbled by the opportunity to help impact and elevate care across our state,” Peña said. “I’m inspired by the dedication and compassion of our nurses, and I am excited to continue working alongside our incredible teams to advance clinical excellence, strengthen our workforce, and ensure that every patient receives the best care possible. Together, we will continue to advance a culture rooted in safety, innovation, and healing for the communities we are privileged to serve.”
Peña holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan-Flint. She is a member of the American Nurses Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives and is the past President of the West Michigan American Heart Association. Additionally, she is a member of the Non-Tenure Track Graduate Faculty at Grand Valley State University and was named a 2024 Notable Leader in Health Care by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business.
As a result of Peña’s transition to a statewide leadership role, Trinity Health Grand Rapids is expected to announce an interim Chief Nursing Officer in the near future.