Dr. Mila Sprouse, EdD, MSN, CCRN, NE-BC, is a nationally respected nurse executive, author, and speaker whose leadership journey is as compelling as it is inspiring. From the humble streets of the Philippines to the executive boardrooms of American healthcare, her story is one of resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to service. Today, as the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Providence North Puget Sound, she oversees nursing operations across multiple hospitals, translating decades of experience into transformative leadership.
With more than three decades in critical care, hospital operations, and executive leadership, Dr. Sprouse is known for turning adversity into fuel for change and compassion into strategy. Her leadership is guided by the spirit of the hummingbird—resilient, swift, and purposeful—and grounded in her signature framework, Unstoppable Courage to Rise. This philosophy is about meeting challenges head-on, rising from setbacks, and inspiring others to move forward with heart and conviction.
Dr. Sprouse is also the author of From Tomatoes to the Boardroom: The Courageous Rise of a Nurse Executive, a memoir that tells her powerful story of growing up barefoot, selling tomatoes to help feed her family, and rising to become a nationally recognized voice in healthcare. It’s a story of grit, humility, and the transformational power of courage. For her, leadership began long before she earned a title; it was forged in moments of necessity and responsibility that shaped her view of what it means to serve.
Reflecting on her journey into nursing and executive leadership, Dr. Sprouse says, “My journey began not in a hospital, but in a public market—barefoot, selling tomatoes to help feed my family. That moment, and many like it, shaped the way I saw leadership: as responsibility born from necessity. Nursing was my calling because it allowed me to turn compassion into action. As I grew in the field, I realized that leadership was simply service at scale. It meant lifting others, improving systems, and ensuring every voice—especially those often unheard—mattered. That’s what pulled me from the bedside to the boardroom.”
Her Filipino heritage plays an integral role in her leadership style. She draws upon deeply rooted values of malasakit (empathy), pakikisama (relational harmony), and bayanihan (communal spirit) in her approach to managing people and systems. “My Filipino heritage is the bedrock of my leadership,” she shares. “Values like malasakit, pakikisama, and bayanihan are part of every decision I make. I don’t lead from ego—I lead from shared purpose. Growing up in a culture that emphasizes both humility and community taught me to listen first, act with integrity, and build bridges across differences. That lens has helped me lead diverse teams and navigate complex challenges with cultural fluency and respect.”
In her current role as CNO, Dr. Sprouse oversees nursing operations for multiple hospitals across the North Puget Sound region. She focuses on clinical excellence, workforce development, caregiver well-being, and creating a culture of equity and belonging. For her, it’s about more than outcomes—it’s about meaning. “Leadership today is about creating systems where nurses are empowered, seen, and supported to deliver the kind of care we’d want for our own families. That’s how we restore trust in healthcare—by starting within,” she explains.
She also sees the future of nurse executive leadership as one of both challenge and opportunity. Workforce shortages, burnout, and increasing healthcare complexity are pressing issues, but they also create room for innovation and bold leadership. “Nurse executives today face a dual reality: the pressure of workforce shortages, burnout, and increasing complexity—and the incredible opportunity to transform care through innovation, advocacy, and bold leadership,” she says. “We are being called not just to lead, but to reimagine. That means rethinking staffing models, investing in talent development, and speaking up for equity and access. The challenge is steep, but so is the potential for lasting impact.”
Her message is particularly powerful for Filipino nurses and other immigrant communities who may feel unseen or underestimated. Filipino nurses are the backbone of many health systems worldwide, yet representation in leadership remains limited. “First, we must recognize the depth of talent that exists in our Filipino nursing community,” Dr. Sprouse emphasizes. “Filipino nurses have long been the backbone of global healthcare, but we are underrepresented in leadership. To change that, we need mentorship pipelines, visibility at decision-making tables, culturally relevant leadership development, and allies who advocate for equity. We must also own our stories and step into spaces with courage—even when we’re the first or the only. Representation isn’t just symbolic; it’s strategic.”
Her book, From Tomatoes to the Boardroom, serves as both a memoir and a call to action, especially for Filipino nurses seeking to break barriers. “That’s one reason I wrote From Tomatoes to the Boardroom—to show what’s possible, and to create a mirror for others who need to see themselves in leadership,” she explains. By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage others to embrace their identity, harness their experiences, and lead with courage.
Dr. Sprouse’s message to Filipino nurses worldwide is deeply empowering: “To every Filipino nurse who dreams of leading: You already carry leadership in your bones. You’ve led families across oceans, navigated challenges with grace, and cared for strangers as if they were kin. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Rise now. Your voice is needed. Your presence is powerful. And your story—yes, your story—has the power to ignite change in rooms you never thought you’d enter. Be proud. Be bold. And know that the path you walk creates a way for others to follow. From Tomatoes to the Boardroom is my way of telling you: we belong here—and the world is ready for your kind of leadership.”
Dr. Sprouse’s journey is more than a personal success story; it is a blueprint for resilient, heart-centered leadership in healthcare. Whether at the bedside or in the boardroom, she embodies leadership that listens deeply, acts bravely, and lifts others forward. Her voice, her vision, and her unwavering belief in the power of nursing leadership continue to inspire nurses everywhere to step boldly into their purpose and rise.
