Bryan Mills - Friend of Nursing Award

A Champion for Nursing: Community’s CEO Bryan Mills Named Society of Nursing Excellence’s 2025 Friend of Nursing

Bryan Mills joined Community Health Network nearly four decades ago with a guiding principle: exceptional care begins with exceptional caregivers. As he prepares to retire after a distinguished career, that principle is honored with his selection as the 2025 Society for Nursing Excellence Friend of Nursing Award recipient—a recognition of his enduring commitment to advancing nursing and shaping a culture where caregivers thrive. 

Under Bryan’s leadership, Community grew into a statewide leader in patient-centered innovation, earning national recognition for quality and compassionate care. For nurses, his legacy is defined by the culture he helped create—one that places caregivers at the heart of every decision and empowers them to transform lives. 

“Bryan has always believed in the power of nursing – not just in words, but in action,” said Beth Tharp, MBA, BSN, RN, Senior Vice President for Hospital Services and Network Chief Nursing Officer, as she presented the award. “His unwavering support has lifted our profession and strengthened the heart of our organization."

Throughout his tenure, Bryan championed nursing education, leadership development, and workplace well-being. He often described his role as Chief Culture Officer, emphasizing that his greatest responsibility was to coach and support a team of extraordinary caregivers. “My job,” he once said, “was never to be the clinical expert, but to create an environment where caregivers could lead with excellence."

From the opening of Community Hospital North in 1985 to leading the 2025 Westfield expansion, Bryan consistently partnered with nurses – celebrating wins, solving challenges, and empowering them to lead with excellence and empathy. 

As he steps into retirement, Bryan’s influence endures through the principles his colleagues affectionately call The Mills Rules – timeless lessons in humility, honesty, hard work, and heart. 

“For all of us,” Beth added, “this award is our way of reminding Bryan that his heart is part of ours, too.”

Guiding by Heart - "The Mills Rules"

Bryan Mills’ leadership was shaped by timeless principles – values he credits to his father and strives to pass on to future generations. These lessons, known as The Mills Rules, reflect the heart behind his decades of service:

The Mills Rules