Montgomery Regional Hospital Receives the Highest Recognition in Nursing Excellence

A Magnet for the Best Nurses and the Best Care

Blacksburg, VA, March 9, 2009– Montgomery Regional Hospital announced today that it has received Magnet™ status, the nation’s highest recognition in nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).  Only 5% of all hospitals in the United States have achieved this distinction.

“This is surely a great achievement, and I am very proud to work in such an outstanding organization and to lead such an exceptional staff,” said Loressa Cole, RN, BSN, MBA, and Chief Nursing Officer at Montgomery Regional Hospital.  “While it is recognition for nursing excellence, it is also recognition for a culture of quality, safety, and patient-centered care.  This can only be accomplished when everyone works as a team, with a singular focus to be the best we can be.”

The Magnet™ Recognition Program is rigorous in its evaluation of a hospital’s adherence to the ANCC’s “14 Forces of Magnetism.”  These standards encompass all aspects of hospital and nursing quality, including the following:

·         the hospital’s role in the community

·         the level of engagement of nurses in hospital leadership activities

·         the level of engagement of nurses in research activities and professional advancement

·         the hospital’s quality of care and dedication to constant improvement

“This achievement signifies the efforts of every department and every staff member on our campus,” said Scott Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Montgomery Regional.  “I knew how much work would go into the Magnet application process, but with the amazing nurses we have on our team, we knew we could and should pursue this effort.  It was certainly the right decision for us to make and each and every member of our staff deserves this recognition.”   

Widely recognized as the “gold standard” of nursing excellence, Magnet-designated hospitals provide patients and their families with a benchmark by which to measure the quality of care they can expect to receive. This status creates a flywheel at hospitals—it shows the great value that the hospital sees in nursing excellence, and in turn attracts the best nurses who help to drive the hospital even further in its journey to be the best.

“This is truly an outstanding achievement for Montgomery Regional and such an important step as we focus on driving consistent leadership and quality care at every facility in our health system,”” said Victor E. Giovanetti, President, HCA Southwest Virginia.  “This is a proud moment for Montgomery Regional Hospital and all of us who are part of the HCA Southwest Virginia family. 

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About Montgomery Regional Hospital

Montgomery Regional Hospital is a 146-bed acute care medical-surgical hospital located in Blacksburg, Va. that serves the New River Valley. Montgomery Regional is a member of HCA Virginia Health System, a family of hospitals, outpatient centers, and physicians with a single priority: putting patients first.  Other HCA hospitals in the Southwest Virginia market include Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Pulaski Community, and Alleghany Regional.  

The Magnet Recognition Program®

The Magnet Recognition Program® and ANCC Magnet Recognition® names and logos are registered trademarks of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Magnet™, Journey to Magnet Excellence™, and National Magnet Conference™ are trademarks of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. All rights reserved.

HCA Virginia Contacts:
Brandi Dawson, Marketing Coordinator
HCA Virginia – Southwest Market
(540) 772-2890
Brandi.Dawson@hcahealthcare.com

Nancy May, Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations
HCA Virginia – Southwest Market
(540) 776-4754 or (540) 537-3475
Nancy.May@hcahealthcare.com