Whidbey General Hospital has hired Linda Stephens Gipson as its new chief nursing officer.

Gipson has a doctorate’s degree in philosophy in public health from the University of South Florida. She earned an MBA from Cleve-land State Uni-versity, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Duke University and the University of Maryland, respectively.

Hospital spokeswoman Trish Rose said Gipson brings vast experience and expertise in a great number of healthcare disciplines to the Coupeville hospital.