State legislature honors VCU programs

Virginia Commonwealth University's Institute for Women's Health and the VCU Health System's nursing program have been recognized for excellence by the 2008 General Assembly.

The General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution No. 78 commending the Women’s Health Institute as a National Center of Excellence. Delegate Jennifer McClellan introduced the resolution.

The VCU Institute for Women's Health seeks to improve the health of women through health education, research, clinical care, outreach and leadership-development while fostering coordinated alliances with the greater community.

Nationwide, there are only 21 Centers of Excellence, which serve as models for providing innovative, comprehensive, integrated health care systems for women of all ages.

Delegate John M. O’Bannon III introduced House Joint Resolution No. 478, which honors the state’s nine Magnet Healthcare Organizations, including the VCU Health System’s nursing program.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center developed the Magnet Recognition Program to recognize the very best quality in nursing care within health care organizations.

The VCU Health System achieved Magnet status in May 2006 for excellence in 14 rigorous standards that touch all aspects of nursing, from patient care quality to nursing education and leadership. The VCU Health System met a range of criteria that included professional models of care, quality of care and a commitment to quality improvement.