VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System has been re-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet hospital, the most prestigious honor and level of recognition awarded for nursing excellence in national and international health care.

The VCUHS first earned the designation in 2006.

“The magnet journey and the celebration that we saw during the recent visit with our appraisers was so rewarding for all of us,” said Deborah Zimmermann, R.N., chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services, VCU Health System.

“It was an opportunity to share with experts and our peers the diversity of the care, the diversity of the excellence, and the contribution that our nurses make to our patients, our community and also advancing the nursing profession,” she said.

Representatives from nursing, the medical staff, hospital administration and members of the entire VCU Health System received notification from the ANCC today of the Magnet Commission’s unanimous vote for the re-designation of the VCU Health System as a Magnet organization.

“There would be no place on earth where I would rather have a loved one, a family member, a friend, an acquaintance or anyone else, all because of what this designation means and means to all of you,” said Sheldon Retchin, M.D., vice president for health sciences and CEO of the VCU Health System. “It’s confirmation of the kind of healthcare that you provide every day.”

Magnet designation recognizes excellence in 60 rigorous standards that touch all aspects of nursing, from professional practice, organizational planning, leadership, innovation, patient outcomes and nursing research. The VCU Health System received a score of excellent in all of these standards.

“It is a real honor to receive the Magnet re-designation as yet another validation of the dedication, commitment and tireless effort of the more than 2,000 nurses and all of our physicians and staff here at the VCU Medical Center,” said John Duval, CEO of the MCV Hospitals. “I am proud to recognize and celebrate the quality care they provide seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“I thank our nurses and all our staff for their excellence, compassion and devotion to improving health care every day,” he said.

The Magnet recognition program was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to recognize health care organizations that provide organizational excellence. The program also provides a vehicle for disseminating successful nursing practices and strategies.