2024 Nursing Annual Report
Excellence is our starting point ... not our finish line.
Explore 2024 Nursing Annual Report:
Explore the 2024 Nursing Annual Report
Message from the Chief Nurse Executive
As we look back on the past year at UT Southwestern, one thing is clear: Our nursing team is shaping the future of health care and setting new benchmarks for excellence. The collective energy, commitment, and innovation within this institution have propelled progress forward, marking another year of remarkable achievements.
In 2024, we reached a major milestone by attaining a nurse retention rate of nearly 86%. With a workforce now exceeding 4,000 nurses and 1,000 advanced practice providers, we are cultivating a workplace that values collaboration, career development, and excellence in patient care. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent the strength of our community and our dedication to making UT Southwestern a place where nurses want to build their careers.
Beyond patient care, we take pride in our strong workplace culture. The American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) has consistently recognized us as a top workplace, reinforcing our efforts to create a supportive and welcoming environment for all nursing professionals. Additionally, UT Southwestern was named the No. 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth by U.S. News & World Report for the eighth year in row, a testament to the collective strength of our health care system and the extraordinary professionals who make it all possible.
Through every challenge and triumph, our purpose remains unchanged: delivering outstanding patient care, fostering professional excellence, and driving the future of nursing forward.
Our nursing team's impact is evident in the national recognition we continually receive for excellence in patient care, an unequivocal credit to their skill and relentless pursuit of better patient outcomes. With patient experience and quality at the heart of our mission, these honors reinforce our ongoing efforts to elevate standards and earn the continued trust of those we serve.
Looking ahead, we are entering an exciting era of expansion and opportunity. With the upcoming pediatric campus and the Texas Behavioral Health Center, we are opening new doors for leadership, innovation, and transformative patient care. These initiatives will not only shape the future of our health system but also provide new avenues for nurses to lead, grow, and impact lives in profound ways.
Through every challenge and triumph, our purpose remains unchanged: delivering outstanding patient care, fostering professional excellence, and driving the future of nursing forward. The progress we have made is a direct result of our expertise and passion, and I have no doubt we will continue to break new ground in the years ahead.
I am grateful for all who contribute to the success of UT Southwestern. The work being done forms the foundation of this institution’s excellence, ensuring a future that will further elevate patient care and professional growth.
Sincerely,
Susan Hernandez, D.N.P., M.B.A., RN
Vice President and Health System Chief Nurse Executive
Nurse Executive Cabinet
From left: Cristy Garza, Manager, Office of Health System Nursing; David Wyatt, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, FAAN, FAORN, Chief Nursing Officer, University Hospital; Susan Hernandez, D.N.P., M.B.A., RN, Vice President and Health System Chief Nurse Executive; Sean Gilmore, M.H.A., Associate Vice President of Business and Program Operations, Health System Nursing; Christi Nguyen, D.N.P., RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FACHE, FAAN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Nurse Excellence; Christopher McLarty, D.N.P., APRN, NP-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Ambulatory Services
Values in Practice
Nursing Philosophy
UT Southwestern is committed to providing quality nursing care through effective use of resources and the development of innovative programs in clinical practice, education, and research.
We value the worth, dignity, and autonomy of our patients and their families. We believe that each individual has unique physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs that are served through personalized, compassionate care.
We encourage each nurse to care for his or her body, mind, and spirit as a critical element in achieving clinical excellence. Nurses at UT Southwestern are also encouraged to nurture and support one another in an environment that fosters teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Working collaboratively affords us the opportunity for common goal-setting through trust, mutual respect, and a commitment to open and honest communication in serving our patients.
Our Commitment to Our Patients and Each Other
- I will do my part to make the hospital environment a peaceful, quiet place dedicated to the healing of the body and spirit.
- I will anticipate the needs of patients and their families rather than waiting to be asked for assistance.
- I will own and resolve every problem I can or personally hand over the problem to someone who can resolve it.
- I will respect the confidentiality of patients, their families, and my colleagues through discrete conversation and attention to privacy.
- I will be responsible for keeping our work environments clean and safe.
- I will dress professionally, and I will speak and conduct myself in a manner that always keeps the focus on our patients.
The Rory Meyers Advanced Education Program for Nursing Excellence
Rose-Marie "Rory" Meyers was an expert nurse with a passion for giving to others in support of nursing education. As a first-generation college student who earned a degree in nursing, her experiences made her into a staunch advocate for those seeking to advance their education. A generous gift from the Meyers family allows for her philanthropic and humanitarian legacy to continue through annual scholarships. Each scholarship awards up to $10,000 per year for UT Southwestern nurses who meet eligibility and are selected by an internal panel of reviewers.
In keeping with Meyers’ mission, the funds can be used to pay for tuition, fees, supplies, and books for nurses pursuing an advanced degree, helping lift the financial burden of first-generation college graduates. In all, more than 73 qualified candidates completed applications for the 2024-2025 Rose-Marie “Rory” Meyers Advanced Education Program for Nursing Excellence scholarship, and recipients were selected by a committee of UTSW Health System nursing and operational leaders with applicant names blinded for the selection process.
The 22 outstanding awardees are:
Dawn Brown, M.S.-M.A.S., RN, NE-BC
Shalique’ Buchanan, B.S.N., RN
Kimberly Collier, B.S.N., RN, CNOR
Keyla Delacorta, NRCMA
Jennifer Fuka, B.S.N., RN, CCRN-CSC
Cara Hough, B.S.N., RN-BC
Ruth Ikpefan
Verita Ingram, M.B.A., B.S.N., B.B.A., RN
Laura Johnson, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC
Janet Liebman, B.S., RN, AMB-BC
Jade Marshall, B.S.
Lillian Otieno, B.S.N., RN
Jimmy Penn, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-C, CDCES
Anjali Perera, B.S.N., RN, CCRN
Natalie Ramirez, B.S.N., RN, PMHN-BC
Jennifer Salazar, NRCMA
Autumn Spencer, M.B.A., B.S.N., RN, CCRN, NPD-BC
Jaimol Sreedharan, M.B.A., M.S.N., RN, CCRN-K
Tiara Stepp, B.S.N., B.A., RN, PMH-BC
Jolly Varughese Thomas, M.S.N., RN, NPD-BC
Amy Weaver, M.H.A., B.S.N., RN, CEN, PMH-BC, NEA-BC
Caroline Woodruff, B.S.N., RN, CCRN