We would like to recognize Mary Ragsdale RN, MSN, MBA, COO, CNO and Sunny Lay MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Operations for their assistance and support in obtaining the 2018 Pathway to Excellence Designation.
Mary was approached by several members of our team only three months after joining St. Anthony. Even though she was still finding her bearings, she enthusiastically agreed to assist and support the process. She set up meeting times for the steering committee, assisted with agendas, attended meetings, coordinated efforts, and organized a phone conference with another facility who was able to give us advice on how they managed to engage their staff. She brought on Scott Madaris to assist the steering committee by reading and offering advice and/or corrections on the EOPs (examples of practice) as they were written; several of which needed extensive revisions. Mary invited and made arrangements for Scott to visit SAH and meet with the steering committee and the nursing team at large. His advice and assistance proved invaluable in engaging staff and completing EOPs that were not only acceptable but more than met the criteria.
Mary supported the steering committee from its inception to the completion of the process. She helped organize and attended staff celebrations on both the day and night shifts when milestones were reached. She assisted in creating a special celebration when we received the designation. Despite her many other responsibilities, Mary has been an avid supporter of the designation process, even when she was expected to complete a number of EOPs regarding administration herself. This with less than a year in her current position.
Sunny hit the ground running when she came on board. She began attending the Pathway meetings almost as soon as she took up her position at SAH. She and Mary gave us not only their constant support during the submission process, but they also rallied the Nursing Managers' support and assistance in conveying the message to their staff members. Very few staff outside of the steering committee are aware that Mary and Sunny stayed at SAH until 0100 hours on the day they officially submitted the 700 plus page document they helped create, to ANCC for the Pathway designation.
Mary and Sunny provide a setting at SAH where caring and compassion are valued. The nursing staff, in turn, treat patients and their families with the kindness and consideration that they receive from their leadership. They have initiated nursing forums twice a year, where direct care nurses have a voice and are included in the decision-making process. They round on the units at least weekly and make themselves available to staff whenever feasible.
Both Mary and Sunny are approachable and caring leaders and we are lucky to have them on our team.