Robert Ombres

Background

About Robert Ombres

I became a nurse in the chaos—on the frontlines, where moments mattered and lives changed in seconds. My foundation was forged in service as a U.S. Army Cavalry Scout, where I learned the power of disciplined teamwork, decisive leadership, and resilience under pressure. Transitioning from combat operations to bedside patient care deepened my commitment to serving others with focus, adaptability, and unwavering calm—qualities I bring to every team I lead. That mindset followed me into emergency departments across the country—whether building makeshift COVID ICUs in Texas or leading from the front during Hurricane Helene, a national disaster that tested every layer of our system.Over more than a decade, I’ve grown from bedside nurse to Director of Nursing Services, where I’ve stabilized staffing, standardized high-risk workflows, and elevated training expectations across a busy community ED. I don’t just focus on fixing problems—I work to build high-performance teams and systems that last.I actively support the success of multiple service lines, including the launch of a new Adolescent Behavioral Health service line, while participating in key hospital and system-level committees. I’m also a proud Culture Champion within UNC Health, helping lead local and systemwide efforts to strengthen team connection, meaning, and recognition.My approach to process improvement is rooted in collaboration. I engage frontline team members and subject matter experts directly, ensuring that solutions are practical, owned, and sustainable. I work closely with our Operational Excellence team and key stakeholders across the organization to align improvements with strategy, secure buy-in, and drive change management, enhance patient experience, and create measurable outcomes. If you’re building something better in healthcare—systems, culture, or outcomes—I’d love to connect. Let’s talk about how we can lead change that lasts.