Methodist Health System Blog

Here’s an interesting question to consider … would Florence Nightingale recognize the profession of nursing as it exists today? The automation, the technology, and the greater degree of autonomy would probably amaze her; however, she would undoubtedly see the common thread that has carried through from the day she established nursing as a career — the innate desire to care for ...

There’s a big strapping 10-year-old in Mansfield that’s full of energy and excitement. I’m not talking about a child. I’m talking about Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. I can’t believe that it’s been a decade since the hospital opened its doors to the community. To steal a phrase from a popular movie, “build it and they will come.” Two years before the hospital’s opening, I ...

The March edition of D Magazine features seven Methodist Health System nurses honored in the magazine’s sixth annual Excellence in Nursing Awards program for dedicating their lives to making North Texas a healthier place. “I believe that Methodist Health System has some of the very best nurses in the country – it’s evidence by their clinical competency, compassion, and in their ...

To say Melissa Mitchell is a driven, goal-oriented person is an understatement. Throughout her nursing career, her eye has been on the prize ahead. From a longtime LVN to an associate degree in nursing to her BSN and MSN-education degrees, one of the secrets to her success has been education. We asked Melissa to tell us about her journey to success and how Methodist Health Syst ...

Methodist Dallas Medical Center is proud to announce its pancreatitis program is first in the nation to receive the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®. The Gold Seal® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. Methodist Dallas also received the Gold Seal of Approval® for pancreatic surgery and pancreati ...

Looking for the perfect nursing environment? A place you can call home? Dee Drake, BSN, CCRN, found that at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, and today she is a CCRN in the cath lab. Dee tells us what she learned and how others mentored and influenced her over the years.   Q: Tell us about your career path? A: After I graduated from nursing school, I was fortunate to secure a cr ...

Have you finished your holiday shopping? Are the cards out? Gifts mailed? Ready for the upcoming family get-together?  If not, take heart. You’re not alone. ’Tis the season of excess and stress — and balancing a hectic personal life with your professional life can be overwhelming. The good news is there’s no need to stress over excess if you remember that sometimes less is more ...

A core value woven into the fabric of the Methodist Health System culture is promoting from within. Just ask me, Barbara Madden. I recently accepted the role of vice president, chief nursing officer (CNO) for Methodist Dallas Medical Center. My nursing career at Methodist spans 30 years. I joined the hospital in 1985 as a med-surg nurse and then moved to adult critical care, an ...

In the spring of 2016, Methodist Charlton Medical Center expanded its critical care services to 32 beds. We asked Kathryn Patton, ICU nurse manager in critical care services at Methodist Charlton, about her career and why she is proud to be a critical care nurse. Q: How long have you been a critical care nurse? Patton: I’ve been a registered nurse for 16 years, and of those, si ...

We’ve all been there. Fresh out of school and ready to join the workforce. You secure an interview and things seem to be going well. Then you hear those dreaded words, “We’re looking for someone with experience.” But how are you supposed to get experience when you’ve just graduated? Sound familiar? That happened to me, and I’ll never forget the frustration that I felt as I trie ...

Dallas — Methodist Health System is pleased to announce the promotions of two dedicated nurse leaders. Karla Ramberger, MSN, RN, has been named Methodist Health System’s first full time Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive. Karla has served as the Vice President of Nursing/Chief Nursing Officer for Methodist Dallas since 2011. She’s been in the Methodist family for ...

Diversity. What used to be a buzzword in healthcare is now an integral part of who we are, what we believe, and how we treat our patients and each other. Throughout Methodist Health System, we are embracing intentional inclusion and diversity and championing cultural competency as key strategic imperatives for the organization. What does this mean? Overall, our goal is to make ...

As vice president of Pastoral Services for Methodist Health System, I see grief on a daily basis. Grieving patients. Grieving families. Grieving staff and first responders. With the tragic events of the past few weeks, it seems that the city of Dallas and the nation as a whole are enveloped by grief. The Oxford Dictionary defines grief as, “deep sorrow, especially caused by som ...

Mission accomplished. Whether you’re serving in the armed forces, flying high as an astronaut, or leading a team of colleagues to treat a patient, achieving your mission is gratifying and motivating. As the president of one of the leading hospitals in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, my focus is on providing our employees, physicians, and volunteers with the motivation and resources ...

Dallas -- Understanding the importance of professional development for nursing leaders, Methodist Health System partnered with The Advisory Board Company to form the Nursing Leadership Academy. The Academy started with 360-degree evaluations that served as a needs assessment. Workshops consist of strategic planning sessions through the collaboration of Methodist’s chief nursing ...

Dallas – Methodist Dallas Medical Center salutes the following nurses for specialty certifications. Congratulations to all! Nurse Practitioner Amanda Skelton, ACNP (Neuro) RN – BSN Graduates Amy Bozeman, BSN (Golden Cross) Victor Abarca, BSN (Neuro) Rhonda McGaughey, BSN (L&D) Vanessa Ruiz, BSN (4 OBS) Patient Experience Elizabeth Lindert, CPXP Wound Care Margaret Isenberg ...

In a recent review posted on Yelp.com, a patient was surprised and grateful to get a personal phone call from Methodist Mansfield President John Phillips, FACHE.  “I received an unexpected phone call that led to this review. Words can't describe how impressed I am at this moment! I took my son in on 5/9/16. It was very busy, and the wait time was crazy ... to say the least. The ...

Mansfield — Interventional cardiologist Alan Taylor, MD, and extern Grant Stephens were among honorees named in the prestigious 2016 Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation Awards this year. Dr. Taylor was honored as Physician of the Year and Mr. Stephens was the recipient of the Rex McRae Scholarship named in memory of the former DFWHC Board Chair and chief executive off ...

A higher calling. A passion to help others. Making a difference in others’ lives. Motivated to heal. Because I care. These are the reasons you’re likely to hear when you ask nurses why they chose this career. National Nurses Week was established to recognize the special people who choose nursing as their life’s work. It also offers an opportunity to thank nurses for the special ...

A few years ago, the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) published a white paper, “The Value of Physician Leadership.” Using literature reviews and interviews with healthcare professionals, the document draws a clear connection between physician leadership and high performing healthcare organizations. The white paper is summarized in a FierceHealthcare article publi ...