Meet Our Nursing Leadership
Loressa Cole RN, BSN, MBA
Chief Nursing Officer
Nursing in the 21st century is just as challenging and rewarding as it has ever been. The committed nurse is devoted to not only the patient and family, but the nurse also realizes that, as Mother Theresa said, "it is not how much we do, but how much love we put into the doing". At LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery, the patient is placed at the center of everything we do. Our Nursing Vision states that we "will be recognized for excellence in the Profession of Practice of Nursing", and we strive every day to raise our nursing practice to the highest level of expertise as we meet and exceed the needs of our community. At LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery, Nursing is a Celebration! Through our shared governance structure, our focus on evidence-based practice, and our excellent patient satisfaction results, we demonstrate the best possible work environment for nurses. For additional information about Nursing at LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery, please e-mail me at loressa.cole@hcahealthcare.com
Ellen Linkenhoker MSN, RN
Assistant Chief Nursing Officer
Shared Governance is a priority focus for nursing at LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery. Many of our staff nurses are actively involved in the hospital-level committees as well as the unit-based committees. These nurses are directly involved in promoting nurse autonomy and improving the professional practice of nursing. Our nurses are passionate about this pursuit - come join our nursing team at LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery.
MJ Bean RN, CCRN
Director of ICU/PCU
LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery's Intensive Care Unit is a 10-bed state-of-the-art unit caring for medical and surgical patients. Our highly trained and dedicated staff exemplifies the team approach to patient care. Cardiac and oncology patients are cared for with a modified primary care approach on our 30-bed Progressive Care Unit. There are many opportunities for advancement within these specialized nursing units.
Hilda Burnette RN
Director of Medical Surgical Pediatric Unit
The Medical Surgical Pediatric unit is a 42 bed unit. The employees use the Shared Governance process to have a voice in their unit and participate in unit management. Our unit based teams are: Scheduling, Clinical Practice and Education, Equipment and Supplies, Satisfaction for Employees, Physicians, and Patients, and Performance Improvement Team. The unit participates in the National AMSN. The staff on the MSP unit also serve on these hospital-wide committees: Recruitment & Retention, Patient Outcomes, Peer Review, Infection Control, Environment of Care, Magnet Steering Committee and Professional Practice, Trauma, Clinical Advancement, Safety and many others. We encourage development and support our staff to further their education by returning to school for certification and advanced degrees. We are a team. Come and join us on our journey to excellence.
Mike Hill RN
Director of Emergency Services
The LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery Emergency Department is a 15-bed facility that accommodates approximately 28,000 visits a year. We are a Designated Level III Trauma Center. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that trauma patients who are treated in a designated trauma center have a decreased mortality rate of 25% compared to those treated in a non-trauma-designated hospital. We also offer a SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) nurse program for sexually assaulted victims. In conjunction with the Radford University School of Nursing, LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery purchased a colposcope for forensic exams. We are currently educating more nursing staff to expand our services in this field. Our ED nurses are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Basic Life Support, Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum, and Pediatric Advance Life Support. LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery also has certified Emergency Department nurses. When seconds count, our community counts on the physicians and nursing professionals at LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery!
Kenneth Perkins, RN
Director of Orthopaedics
The Orthopaedic unit is an 11-bed unit, specializing in bone, muscle, and joint care from assessment and treatment through rehabilitation. Our nurses are skilled ,compassionate specialists in every facet of the orthopaedic care continuum. Using shared governance as our model and staying true to our hospitals mission "Caring for our Community" our satisfaction scores are consistently high. The team work and dedication of our nurses are the driver of great care delivered here.
Amy Woods RN, CNOR
Director of Surgical Services
The Surgical Services Department encompasses Outpatient Surgical Services, Endoscopy, PACU, Cath Lab, Anesthesia, The LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery Heartburn Treatment Center, OR, and Central Sterile. Many of our nurses are cross-trained to different areas within Surgical Services, making their jobs both exciting and interesting. The nursing staff in Surgical Services utilize the unit-based committees to initiate change, improve patient satisfaction and employee satisfaction. The atmosphere within Surgical Services is cohesive, team-oriented, and friendly.
Marjorie Young BSN, RNC
Director of Obstetrics
The Birthing Center at LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery has a family-centered care philosophy. Our babies room-in with their Moms and Dads so they can learn about each other during this very special time. We are a 15-bed LDRP cross-trained nursing unit with high nurse, doctor, and patient satisfaction scores. The Birthing Center is backed by a strong Perinatal Safety Initiative from HCA that receives recognition nationwide for quality patient care.
Erin Keister MSN, RN
Director of Education
Staff development focuses on the provision of education based on the needs of the staff. These needs are assessed through the utilization of an annual educational needs assessment. Education is provided through many different methods including: classroom with both internal and external instructors and electronic or computer based education. It is important for the staff to not only have input on what educational topics they require education, but also in how it is presented.
David Linkous RN, BSN, MSEd
Emergency Management and Trauma Programs Manager
Emergency Management is the activities involved with the preparation and planning for a disastrous event. There are four stages of emergency management which include: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Being ready for a disaster involves having what you need, when you need it, including materials as well as education and training. Recent events, both locally and nationally have demonstrated that no one is immune to a disaster whether it be natural, or man-made and everyone needs to know there role and take it seriously.
Shared Governance Council Chairs
Pamela Lindsey MSN, RN, CS
Chair Nursing Research Council
The Nursing Research Council is responsible for the house wide education needs of the staff regarding evidence-based practice and nursing research. The council collaborates with other councils to identify needs for practice change, research topics, and areas of study. The council also coordinates and promotes the LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery Annual Evidence-Based Practice and Research Poster Day.
Lisa Wade RNC, BSN
Chair Professional Practice Council
The Professional Practice Council monitors professional nursing practice within the walls of LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery. The duties of the council include, but are not limited to, reviewing policies and procedures for the most current sources of evidence and updating accordingly; encouraging staff participation in the certification process; encouraging staff participation in the shared governance process; collaboration with other hospital councils; promotion of Professional Accountability in practice; reviewing evidence and making practice change suggestions as necessary. We have ten members on our council bringing experience from every aspect of nursing and having combined years of experience of 150 plus.
Marsha Mann RN
Chair Nursing Outcomes Council
The Nursing Outcomes Council has representation from each nursing unit. Our goal is to coordinate performance improvement activities for quality improvements of nursing care. The council identifies areas that need improvement, develops action plans and implements and monitors the plans as necessary. Our goal is to provide the best patient care in the New River Valley.
Terri Bateman RN
Chair Peer Review Council
The primary purpose of the Peer Review Council is to provide a formal, non-punitive process for the review of nursing practice, quality of care issues based on Standards of Care and Standards of Practice at LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery. The council works on refining the review process which includes systematic assessment, analysis, formulation of conclusions, and feedback following the comparison of actual nursing practice to Standards of Care and Standards of Practice.
Diane Gully RN, BC
Chair Recruitment and Retention Council
The Recruitment and Retention Council works together to recruit and retain the highest quality nurses for employment at LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery. The council coordinates and implements activities for the annual nurse's week, assists in assimilation of new nurses into the organization, and promotes the profession of nursing to our community.
Jennifer Poole RNC, BSN
Chair Clinical Advancement Council
The Clinical Advancement Council works to provide a structured and supportive format for the nurses at LewisGale Hospital at Montgomery to advance their personal and professional goals. The council reviews submitted application packets for clinical advancement and provides constructive feedback and recommendations. Council members mentor applicants, support and encourage nurses to remain at the bedside and recognize nurses for their expertise and performance.