While Integris is still working through the planning and zoning process with Edmond city officials, they are pleased to announce that a president has been chosen for the future facility. Avilla T. Williams will begin her new role Feb. 4.

Williams comes to Integris from Deaconess Hospital where she worked for the past 13 years.

She has served as assistant nursing administrator, nursing director and most recently vice president of the Bethany branch.

Williams received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Hawaii Pacific University and earned her master’s at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany.

She has been named Who’s Who in Nursing Today and Nurse Manager of the Year.

Williams is very active in the community, belonging to such groups as the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Oklahoma Association for Healthcare Ethics, Healthcare Coalition for the Uninsured and the Oklahoma Hospital Association.

An Edmond resident, she gladly accepted the position as president of the new facility.

"I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with a leading health care provider in the very community that I live in and love," said Williams.

"I hope to create a partnership with the medical community and the city that not only promotes health and a cooperative community wellness, but also encourages people to choose Edmond as their home."

Williams has been married to her husband, Steve, for 27 years. They have one daughter, Morgan, who attends Oklahoma State University.

"We are excited to bring Integris to Edmond and to have a seasoned health care executive who lives there lead our effort," says Stanley Hupfeld, president and CEO of Integris Health.

"We commit, as we do in all of our communities, to be a great corporate citizen.

"We expect that Integris and Williams will play an intensive role in support of the Edmond community."

The planned hospital could employ as many as 300 people and have an initial economic impact of $140 million.

It will cost $40 to $60 million to build. Integris hopes to break ground on the new facility later this year with a completion date set for 2010.