Her Story
About Laura
Laura Rodriguez, FACHE, RN, is a seasoned healthcare executive with 35 years of experience in the field and more than 20 years in CEO and executive hospital administration roles. A registered nurse with a clinical background in trauma and critical care, Laura began her career at a Level I trauma center in Houston, progressing from bedside nursing and critical care education into management and director-level leadership. Her career has encompassed hospital operations, strategic planning, business development, physician relations, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and organizational transformation.
Laura has held senior leadership positions with Memorial Hermann Health System, Post Acute Medical, and Kindred Hospital, Medical Center, where she served in CEO, chief clinical officer, chief operations officer, and other executive roles. At Kindred, she led clinical, business, and financial operations while overseeing multidisciplinary teams and initiatives focused on patient satisfaction, workforce engagement, operational efficiency, and cost management. She also spearheaded the launch of a newly constructed 45-bed acute rehabilitation hospital, working with governing boards and regulatory authorities to achieve operational readiness. Currently, Laura serves as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Nursing Officer at Nutex Health Inc., where she contributes to strategic planning and new hospital development.
Throughout her career, Laura has been guided by a commitment to service, leadership, and continuous improvement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Registered Nursing from UTHealth Houston and an MBA in Health Care Administration and Management from the University of Phoenix. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), a Certified Professional in Patient Safety, and a licensed registered nurse in Texas. Laura also serves as a board member of the American Lung Association in Houston and is involved with the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives. Grounded by her Christian faith and the lessons of her mother, an HR executive who emphasized common sense and sound decision-making, Laura views healthcare leadership as both a responsibility and a calling.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laura
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the values I learned from my mother, an HR professional and executive who advanced through integrity, sound judgment, and common sense. She taught me to make decisions based on what is right for the person in front of me. My Christian faith and the guidance of spiritual leaders throughout my 25 years in church have also played an important role in shaping my professional journey.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received has come from my mother and the mentors who have guided me. My mother taught me the importance of integrity, sound judgment, and doing what is right for the person in front of you. Other leaders encouraged me to recognize my potential and pursue opportunities in strategic planning, business development, and leadership. My spiritual mentors also reinforced that strong character, service, courage, and responsibility are essential to meaningful leadership.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be confident and go after the opportunities you want, even if you do not feel fully qualified or have all the experience yet. Do not let age or a checklist of credentials hold you back. Take the chance, learn from the outcome, and view setbacks as stepping stones. Nothing happens by itself—we have to take action and make things happen.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Healthcare leadership continues to face challenges such as regulatory changes, financial pressures, workforce demands, evolving patient needs, and the need to continually improve quality and safety. I see these challenges as opportunities for meaningful leadership. My clinical and executive experience has taught me to connect frontline patient care with strategy, operations, governance, and financial stewardship. As I enter my next chapter, I am particularly interested in opportunities where I can use my experience to strengthen organizations, develop leaders, and contribute to better outcomes for patients and communities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith keeps me grounded and humble and guides my day-to-day decisions. I view my work as a calling rather than something I do for myself, and I feel both privileged and responsible for what has been entrusted to me. I also value maintaining balance and wellness through running and regular exercise.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.