Supporting OHS Nursing and Looking to the Future

Celebrating Nurses in Partnership With Philanthropy

In celebration of National Nurses Week in May, the Spring 2019 edition of the Ochsner Magazine, a publication through Ochsner’s philanthropy department, featured the stories of nurses from across Ochsner Health System. The Spring edition highlights:

• Pediatric Oncology Nursing in the article “Giving the Care you

Wish to Receive.”

• Ochsner Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses and patients in

“The Heart of the Hospital”.

• Ochsner Gastroenterology nurses in “Nursing the Body, Mind, and Spirit”.

• The Care for the Caregiver Serenity Room at Ochsner Baptist a campus of Ochsner Medical Center in “Taking Care of Our Own”.

• The Patty Hanson Nursing Excellence Scholarship fund and inaugural scholarship recipients at Chamberlain University

College of Nursing at Ochsner Health System in “Ochsner’s

Angel”.

There are multiple nursing education funds available across our system. Ochsner nurses are fortunate to have such great partners in philanthropy who help to ensure special funds continue to grow related and development.

Ochsner Celebrates the World Health Organization Year of the Nurse and Midwife in 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife.” This deserved designation is in honor of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, considered to be the founder of modern nursing. This global celebration recognizes the indispensable role of nurses and midwives and to advance nurses’ vital position in transforming healthcare around the world. Through this recognition, it is the intent to grow, enhance and celebrate these professions in order to encourage and educate our future nurses and midwives. Ochsner is excited to celebrate this initiative throughout 2020. In 2019, a committee of nurse representatives from across the system came together to plan celebrations and activities throughout the year in honor of the WHO designation. Some activities include a nurse and midwife celebration day, community outreach events, campus leadership panels, and lunch and learn events. Ochsner plans to recognize, celebrate, educate and inspire our nurses and midwives all year long! Keep an eye out for more information about Ochsner resources and activities that celebrate our nurses and midwives! If you have any questions, please reach out to Bianca Cook at bianca.cook@ochsner. org.To learn more about the designation, visit www.who.int/campaigns/ year-of-the-nurse-and-the-midwife-2020.

“WHO is proud to nominate 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. These

two health professions are invaluable to the health of people everywhere.” said Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO. ‘While WHO recognizes

their crucial role on a daily basis, 2020 will be dedicated to highlighting the enormous sacrifices and contributions of nurses and midwives, and to ensuring

that we address the shortage of these vital professions” (Patton 2019).

Reference: Patton, F. (2019) WHO Confirms 2020 as International Year of Nurse and Midwife, Nurseslabs. Retrieved from https://nurseslabs.com/2020-as-year-of-the-nurse-and-midwife-to-go-ahead-globally/

Cheryl Woods, DNP, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer, Ochsner Medical Center – Northshore, passed away on May 21, 2019. Cheryl embodied leadership and made it look easy. She was a resource and a mentor to many staff members and leaders throughout Ochsner Health System. Cheryl was committed to her family, had a strong faith and was a friend to everyone she met. Cheryl’s enthusiasm, skill, dedication and warmth are greatly missed. As a nurse executive leader of Ochsner, Cheryl made countless contributions to improve the quality of patient care and nursing practice. Through Cheryl’s leadership, Ochsner Medical Center – Northshore became the first facility in a five-state region to become HIMSS 7 certified. She led OMC - Northshore to become the first in the system to go live on the Epic platform. She also led the efforts to initiate just culture throughout Ochsner Health System as part of her doctoral dissertation project. Cheryl earned her master’s degree in nursing administration from Southeastern Louisiana University. Over the course of her career, Cheryl was recognized for her enthusiasm and excellence in nursing as Nurse of the Year of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Tallahassee, FL. She was named one of the Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana and was recognized as Distinguished Alumni of Southeastern Louisiana University where she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau honor society and earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Through Cheryl’s servant leadership style, she encouraged and supported her team to continually advance their education and professionalism. Many nursing leaders and staff advanced their degrees or earned certifications under her leadership. Cheryl’s bright and dynamic personality, passion and enthusiasm were gifts to everyone she met. She leaves a legacy of excellence and is a role model for nurses.

“Cheryl’s enthusiasm, passion and drive in everything she did will leave a lasting impression on us all. She is truly missed.” - Tracey Moffatt, MHA, BSN, RN, system chief nursing officer and vice president of quality

56 Ochsner Nursing 2018-2019 Annual Report