Dignity Health Woodland Memorial Hospital announced the appointment of Kara Estenson as its new Chief Nursing Executive/Chief Operating Officer. Courtesy photo

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - Dignity Health Woodland Memorial Hospital announced the appointment of Kara Estenson as its new Chief Nursing Executive/Chief Operating Officer. Estenson replaces Lesley Wininger, who  served as Interim Chief Nursing Executive/Chief Operating Officer since May 2024.  

Estenson comes directly to Woodland Memorial from Adventist Health Sonora where she served as Chief Nursing Officer and Patient Care Executive since 2020. In that role, she oversaw the pharmacy, oncology, surgical services, emergency and ICU departments, among others. 

“I am thrilled to join the exceptional team at Woodland Memorial Hospital and contribute to the outstanding care this hospital is known for in Yolo County,” Estenson said. “Together, we will continue to advance care, support our dedicated staff and make a lasting impact on the health of our community.” 

Prior to Adventist Health Sonora, Estenson was the Chief Nursing Officer at Palmdale Regional Medical Center. She has previously served as Chief Nursing Executive at Southwest General Hospital (Steward Healthcare) in San Antonio, Director of the Emergency Department at Kaiser in Redwood City and Renown Medical Center in Reno, and Critical Care Services Director at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Walnut Creek.  

“We are delighted to welcome Kara as our new Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Operating Officer,” said Gena Bravo, president and CEO at Woodland Memorial Hospital. “Her passion for patient-centered care, commitment to excellence, and strong leadership will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the care we provide now and into the future.” 

Estenson earned her Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Phoenix, as well as her Doctor of Nursing Practice-Executive Leadership from American Sentential College in Denver. 

About Dignity Health

Dignity Health is a multi-state nonprofit network of 10,000 physicians, more than 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals and 400-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health and primary care clinics in Arizona, California and Nevada. Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Dignity Health is a part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system committed to advancing health for all people and dedicated to serving the common good. For more information, visit online www.DignityHealth.org.