COLUMBIA, Md. (May 21, 2024) — MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital has been awarded the prestigious Magnet® Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), marking it as the fifth MedStar Health hospital to achieve this distinction. Fewer than 10% of hospitals in the United States hold this designation, which highlights excellence in nursing care.
“We are honored to be named a Magnet-Recognized hospital,” said Mimi Novello, MD, MBA, FACEP, president and chief medical officer of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. “We have an incredible team that has embraced the principles of Magnet to build a culture of exceptional quality and care. I am extremely proud of the amazing care provided at our hospital every day and the tremendous dedication of our staff.”
Magnet Recognition is one of the highest distinctions a healthcare organization can receive in the U.S., requiring hospitals to demonstrate superior nursing leadership, clinical practice, innovation, and patient outcomes. Achieving this recognition involves meeting and exceeding national standards for nursing practice and fostering an environment of professional growth and continuous improvement.
Research indicates that Magnet-recognized hospitals generally provide higher quality patient care, including lower mortality rates and increased patient satisfaction. These hospitals also benefit from lower turnover rates and higher job satisfaction among nursing staff, which in turn enhances their ability to attract and retain qualified, highly educated nurses.
“Our team has worked very hard to meet the standards of the Magnet recognition program,” said Dawn Yeitrakis, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, vice president and chief nursing officer of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. “The journey to this moment has been one of discovery and incredible growth and this recognition highlights the great work our nursing and hospital team does every day.”
MedStar St. Mary’s was recognized by the ANCC with eight exemplars—one for Structural Empowerment and seven for Exemplary Professional Practice. Exemplars underscore exceptional performance in the various elements of the Magnet model.
“This Magnet designation is not just a recognition of past achievements,” said Yeitrakis, “it is a commitment from our team to continue to excel and innovate our nursing care. We are steadfastly dedicated to continuing to improve patient care as well as the overall healthcare experience for all those we serve.”
MedStar St. Mary’s journey to Magnet recognition involved rigorous assessment and the implementation of numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing nursing practice and patient care. The designation reflects the hospital’s dedication to nursing excellence and its commitment to providing top-tier healthcare services to the community.
For more information, please contact Holly B. Meyer at 301-475-6010 or Holly.B.Meyer@medstar.net.