Teresa S Chaires
May 2026
Teresa S
Chaires
,
MSN, RN
Director of Family Birthing Services Level II NICU
WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital
Chambersburg
,
PA
United States
Her legacy continues through the nurses she has mentored, the programs she built, and the countless lives touched by her work.
Terri Chaires has devoted her career at WellSpan to building strong, compassionate, and high-performing Maternal Child Health services that positively impact patients, families, and caregivers alike. Since joining WellSpan in 2014, Terri has been a visionary leader whose dedication, innovation, and unwavering support of nursing excellence have left a lasting legacy.
One of her most significant accomplishments was planning and opening Chambersburg Hospital’s first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which successfully launched in January 2016. This milestone dramatically improved access to specialized neonatal care for our community and required exceptional leadership, collaboration, and commitment to quality and safety.
Terri’s passion for developing nurses is evident in the numerous programs she has implemented and championed. She played a pivotal role in creating and supporting the FBS Fellowship Program to guide new graduate nurses and those new to specialty practice, ensuring they are confident, competent, and supported as they transition into their complex roles. She further strengthened mentorship and retention by creating a Peer-to-Peer program that pairs new team members with experienced nurses, fostering connection, confidence, and professional growth. Terri also has expertly planned and coordinated hospital onboarding orientation wrap-up sessions, enhancing the overall onboarding experience and setting nurses up for long-term success.
Throughout her tenure, Terri has been a driving force behind achieving and sustaining excellence in clinical outcomes and patient safety. She supported the implementation and successful accomplishment of Gold Safe Sleep Certification and played a key role in achieving the PA Keystone 10 designation, demonstrating her steadfast commitment to evidence-based practice and maternal-child health excellence. Additionally, Terri supported and helped lead the Healthy Workforce Crew teams on FBS and NICU, focusing on improving unit culture, staff well-being, and patient safety.
Terri’s leadership extended beyond individual units as she proactively addressed system-wide challenges. When Waynesboro’s Labor & Delivery closed, and inpatient Pediatrics experienced service reductions, Terri created the Maternal Child Health Float Pool positions to support FBS, NICU, and Pediatrics, ensuring staffing stability while retaining skilled nurses within the organization. She also implemented the FBS Tech position, providing aspiring nurses with hands-on experience and a clear pathway into RN roles within FBS and NICU after graduation—an initiative that has proven highly successful.
In addition to her operational and clinical leadership, Terri has been a tireless advocate for recognizing and celebrating excellence. As Committee Leader for the DAISY and Shining Star awards, she has uplifted countless caregivers by ensuring their compassion and impact are acknowledged.
Terri Chaires exemplifies the spirit of the Lifetime DAISY Award through her visionary leadership, dedication to nursing development, commitment to safer care, and profound influence on the culture of excellence at WellSpan. Her legacy continues through the nurses she has mentored, the programs she built, and the countless lives touched by her work.
One of her most significant accomplishments was planning and opening Chambersburg Hospital’s first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which successfully launched in January 2016. This milestone dramatically improved access to specialized neonatal care for our community and required exceptional leadership, collaboration, and commitment to quality and safety.
Terri’s passion for developing nurses is evident in the numerous programs she has implemented and championed. She played a pivotal role in creating and supporting the FBS Fellowship Program to guide new graduate nurses and those new to specialty practice, ensuring they are confident, competent, and supported as they transition into their complex roles. She further strengthened mentorship and retention by creating a Peer-to-Peer program that pairs new team members with experienced nurses, fostering connection, confidence, and professional growth. Terri also has expertly planned and coordinated hospital onboarding orientation wrap-up sessions, enhancing the overall onboarding experience and setting nurses up for long-term success.
Throughout her tenure, Terri has been a driving force behind achieving and sustaining excellence in clinical outcomes and patient safety. She supported the implementation and successful accomplishment of Gold Safe Sleep Certification and played a key role in achieving the PA Keystone 10 designation, demonstrating her steadfast commitment to evidence-based practice and maternal-child health excellence. Additionally, Terri supported and helped lead the Healthy Workforce Crew teams on FBS and NICU, focusing on improving unit culture, staff well-being, and patient safety.
Terri’s leadership extended beyond individual units as she proactively addressed system-wide challenges. When Waynesboro’s Labor & Delivery closed, and inpatient Pediatrics experienced service reductions, Terri created the Maternal Child Health Float Pool positions to support FBS, NICU, and Pediatrics, ensuring staffing stability while retaining skilled nurses within the organization. She also implemented the FBS Tech position, providing aspiring nurses with hands-on experience and a clear pathway into RN roles within FBS and NICU after graduation—an initiative that has proven highly successful.
In addition to her operational and clinical leadership, Terri has been a tireless advocate for recognizing and celebrating excellence. As Committee Leader for the DAISY and Shining Star awards, she has uplifted countless caregivers by ensuring their compassion and impact are acknowledged.
Terri Chaires exemplifies the spirit of the Lifetime DAISY Award through her visionary leadership, dedication to nursing development, commitment to safer care, and profound influence on the culture of excellence at WellSpan. Her legacy continues through the nurses she has mentored, the programs she built, and the countless lives touched by her work.