Here are the finalists for the Management category in Nursing Spectrum's 2009 Nursing Excellence awards. In the Greater Chicago region, a gala event is planned for May 7 at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
Jolene Albaugh, RN
Director of Surgical Services
Adventist Bolingbrook (Ill.) Hospital
Albaugh wears scrubs to work every day so she stays visible and is ready to pitch in when and where needed. By helping out in the department, she also is able to troubleshoot. For example, she developed a weekend on-call program for her staff that consists of two positions that allow weekday staff to have the whole weekend off. She’s also a future thinker. Three nurses were moved into coordinator roles to create a succession plan to help them transition to future management positions.
Diane Leonard, RN, MS
Director of Women’s and Children’s Services and Med-Surg
Adventist Bolingbrook (Ill.) Hospital
Patient care comes first for Leonard because she’s committed to a culture of caring. After each new process or project is completed, she makes a point of thanking staff. For example, she developed a program, called Our Way ... Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital’s Way, which focuses on rewarding staff with Hershey’s kisses when caught doing something the hospital way. As a director, Leonard also encourages employees to contact her if issues cannot be resolved through regular channels.
Maribeth Mielnicki, RN, MS
Manager Oncology and Palliative Care
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Chicago
Mielnicki excels at combining humor, compassion, and a commitment to high quality of care during periods of change. By involving staff in the process and working with them to develop solutions, she facilitates staff satisfaction and lowers turnover rates. She also helps staff members develop and grow professionally by discussing their interests with them and offering them opportunities that match accordingly. Employees are not censored by Mielnicki’s personal opinion; she practices fairness and remains approachable.
Karen Miller, RN, BSN
Director, Home Care
MacNeal Hospital
Berwyn, Ill.
A natural ability to communicate allows Miller to creatively and effectively perform her role as director. She has maintained a profitable healthcare business with engaged employees and high patient satisfaction scores. The three defining characteristics that make her a great leader are her keen ability to establish personal relationships, her vivacious and engaging personality, and her ability to take risks. Miller also can jump in and work alongside staff in all roles, making her a role model.
Bernadette Speiser, RN, MSN, CCRN
Nurse Manager, Cardiology Unit
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago
A progressive leader and educator, Speiser facilitated growth in the cardiology department by including a percutaneous coronary intervention without cardiothoracic surgery on-site program. There are now 26 of these programs in the network. She also led the development of a chest pain unit. All of her employees are held to attainable high expectations because she provides them with the tools to succeed. For example, she grants paid time off to attend conferences. A fearless leader, she also shares mistakes she’s made in the past and treats minor errors as learning experiences.
Jolene Albaugh, RN
Director of Surgical Services
Adventist Bolingbrook (Ill.) Hospital
Albaugh wears scrubs to work every day so she stays visible and is ready to pitch in when and where needed. By helping out in the department, she also is able to troubleshoot. For example, she developed a weekend on-call program for her staff that consists of two positions that allow weekday staff to have the whole weekend off. She’s also a future thinker. Three nurses were moved into coordinator roles to create a succession plan to help them transition to future management positions.
Diane Leonard, RN, MS
Director of Women’s and Children’s Services and Med-Surg
Adventist Bolingbrook (Ill.) Hospital
Patient care comes first for Leonard because she’s committed to a culture of caring. After each new process or project is completed, she makes a point of thanking staff. For example, she developed a program, called Our Way ... Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital’s Way, which focuses on rewarding staff with Hershey’s kisses when caught doing something the hospital way. As a director, Leonard also encourages employees to contact her if issues cannot be resolved through regular channels.
Maribeth Mielnicki, RN, MS
Manager Oncology and Palliative Care
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Chicago
Mielnicki excels at combining humor, compassion, and a commitment to high quality of care during periods of change. By involving staff in the process and working with them to develop solutions, she facilitates staff satisfaction and lowers turnover rates. She also helps staff members develop and grow professionally by discussing their interests with them and offering them opportunities that match accordingly. Employees are not censored by Mielnicki’s personal opinion; she practices fairness and remains approachable.
Karen Miller, RN, BSN
Director, Home Care
MacNeal Hospital
Berwyn, Ill.
A natural ability to communicate allows Miller to creatively and effectively perform her role as director. She has maintained a profitable healthcare business with engaged employees and high patient satisfaction scores. The three defining characteristics that make her a great leader are her keen ability to establish personal relationships, her vivacious and engaging personality, and her ability to take risks. Miller also can jump in and work alongside staff in all roles, making her a role model.
Bernadette Speiser, RN, MSN, CCRN
Nurse Manager, Cardiology Unit
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago
A progressive leader and educator, Speiser facilitated growth in the cardiology department by including a percutaneous coronary intervention without cardiothoracic surgery on-site program. There are now 26 of these programs in the network. She also led the development of a chest pain unit. All of her employees are held to attainable high expectations because she provides them with the tools to succeed. For example, she grants paid time off to attend conferences. A fearless leader, she also shares mistakes she’s made in the past and treats minor errors as learning experiences.
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