VIDALIA – On Thursday, Nov. 19, Meadows Regional Medical Center nursing staff held a special Clinical Ladder Awards Ceremony to recognize and promote registered nurses and clinical staff for their level of achievement. Meadows Regional Medical Center Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Jeffrey Harden, presented each recipient with a certificate and check based on their level of completion within the program.
The Clinical Ladder Program was put in place by Meadows to boost professional development among clinical bedside leaders and improve quality of patient care. Several models can be used for creating clinical ladder programs. Meadows’ Clinical Ladder Program includes four levels of development. Serving as a clinical preceptor for The Bridge to Professional Practice Program where participants serve as mentors to new graduate nurses and new employees. National certification where nurses and other professionals are accredited by a professional subspecialty as clinical experts. Clinical Excellence Council which serves as a form of a shared governance models, these individuals represent each unit across the organization and come together over the course of a year to develop strategic initiatives that drive quality, staff retention, and overall organizational improvements, members are then challenged to initiate and communicate the efforts to their peers within the department. The final level is advanced healthcare degrees, employees who have obtained a Bachelor's degree or higher are recognized for their effort for continued education.
“Many people first look at this program as a cost to the organization, however, it is an investment,” said Jeffrey Harden, Meadows Regional Medical Center Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “It is an investment in the future of Meadows as we groom new leaders, an investment in improved quality outcomes, and necessary for our patients to ensure that only the most qualified clinicians are providing their care.” He also added, “I am proud of these individuals and all they have completed. Watching them grow and work together is a highlight for me.”
Fifty-seven Meadows employees completed the requirements to earn their clinical ladder payouts: Alex Horton, Alicia M. Baker-Waring, Alonza Middleton, Amanda Fountain, Amanda Montford, Andrea D Giles, Angela Hamilton, Aretha Adams, Ashley Edwards, Ashley Nasworthy, Brittany Mitchell, Brittany Nabb, Brittany Strickland, Candace Reynolds, Chelsea Hadden, Christy Meeks, Coertze Peters, Constance Love, Courtney Strickland, Dana Miller, Dustin Kersey, Janna Tabor, Jason Newton, Jeanette Latrell Davis, Jeffrey M. Lockley, Jenna Griffin, Jennifer Fountain, Jennifer Lamb, Jessica Simons, Jessica Woodcock, Katey L Samples, Keily Mitchell, Kelli Kirby, Kendall H Kight, Kevin Smith, Kirby Allmond, Leslie Lytle, Lori Durden, Lori Tuck, Macy Kilpatrick, Michelle Brooke Kennedy, Minerva C. Poblete, Morgan Powell, Raegan Conner, Rayna Oliver, Rhanita Keaton, Sarah McLeod, Selena Bradford, Shannon S. Hart, Sheila Gupton, Sheila Stuckey, Shelby Morrison, Simmie Driggers, Simone Wright, Theresa Dykes, Walter D. Wiles Jr., William Craig Dickens.
