Transformational nursing leadership

  • Achieved CAD STEMI & CAD NSTEMI Gold Plus with Target.
  • Sustained zero wrong-site surgeries for 13 years.
  • Achieved nurse vacancy rate of <3%.
  • Opened a new L&D Triage unit to better serve expectant mothers experiencing medical emergencies.
  • Implemented Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols for colorectal and gynecologic surgeries.

Structural empowerment

  • BSN rate 89% (September 2025)
  • Certification rate (September 2025)
    • All nurses: 30%
    • Nurse Leaders: 66%

Exemplary professional practice

  • Magnet® Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center
  • Earned the CMS 5-Star Quality Rating, a nationally recognized benchmark of excellence in patient care and organizational performance.
  • Awarded an “A” grade in Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 Leapfrog Hospital Safety, affirming top-tier patient safety.
  • Accreditation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons
  • Designation as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission
  • Accreditation as a Primary Heart Attack Center by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care
  • Received NICU Designation by the State of Texas as a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
  • Received Maternal Designation by the State of Texas as a Level III Maternal Care Program.
  • Designation as a Texas Ten Step Facility by the Texas Department of State Health Services

New knowledge, innovations and improvements

Completed research studies

  • Cora Stockton; Kayla Carey, BSN, RN; Kathleen Ellis, PhD, RN; Betsy Fritz, MSN, RN, CNML, CCRN-K; Penny Huddleston, PhD, RN, CCRN, NEA-BC; Kathy Kamp, MSN, RNC-NIC; Paula Rodriguez, BSN, RN-BC; Karen Stanzo, MSN, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC Linda Tjiong, DBA, MSN, RN, NE-BC; Staci Phelps, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC – NDNQI Improving NICU infant outcomes through nursing: Parent satisfaction research study (IRB# 018-176). (Location: BUMC, College Station, Grapevine, Irving, McKinney)
  • Mallory Piaschyk, MSN, RN, CCRN. Patients' and nurses' perceptions of a female external catheter device as an alternative to indwelling urinary catheter. (IRB# 018-571).
  • Carol S. Arrendell, MSN, RN, CCRN, NPD-BC. Employee knowledge and perceptions of patient and/or visitor initiated workplace violence in a community hospital (IRB # 018-703).
  • Linda Tjiong, DBA, MSN, RN. “Susie" Pet Robotic Therapy in Acute Care Hospital Settings (IRB#015-295).
  • Karen Stanzo, MSN, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC. Effects of dextrose gel on infants at risk for hypoglycemia in a Baby-Friendly Hospital (IRB #018-759).
  • Kathleen Ellis, PhD, RN; Amanda Majors, BSN, RNC-NIC; Betsy Fritz MSN, RN, CNML, CCRN-K; Linda Tjiong, DBA, MSN, RN, NE-BC. Knowledge and perceptions of maternal/child nurses towards intimate partner violence (IRB #016-089).