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

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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).

Publications

  • Stanzo, K., DeMoss, M., Hollingsworth, B., Schrah Sherrill, S., Cruz, M. S. F. D., Reynolds, A., Jackson, T., & Nwawuihe, J. (2024). Nurse certification and test anxiety. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 54(7/8), 422–426. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001451
  • Stanzo, K., Szostek, T., Desai, S., & Chiruvolu, A. (2024). Clinical outcomes in newborns receiving Glutose 15 versus Sweet Cheeks oral glucose gel for neonatal hypoglycemia. Journal of Perinatology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-024-01896-5
  • Desai, S., Stanzo, K., Benskin, B., Cardenas, K., Gilkey, T. W., & Chiruvolu, A. (2024). Intimate partner violence and depression screening of mothers with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. American Journal of Perinatology.
  • Stanzo, K., Kumar, V., Gallegos, A., & Chiruvolu, A. (2023). How much glucose is in Sweet Cheeks oral glucose gel? Journal of Perinatology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01670-z
  • Stanzo, K. C., Kumar, V., Chiruvolu, A. & Cipher, D.J. (2022). How much glucose is in the gel used to treat neonatal hypoglycemia? Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 51, 218- 224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2021.11.001 
  • Chiruvolu, A, Estes, E., Stanzo, K., Desai, S. & Cornelius, B. (2022). The effects of placental transfusion on mothers. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2022.2032636
  • Chiruvolu, A., George, R., Stanzo, K. C., Kindla, C. M., & Desai, S. (2021). Effects of placental transfusion on late preterm infants admitted to a mother baby unit. American Journal of Perinatology. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1726387

Podium presentations

  • Stanzo, K.C. & Nwawuihe, J. (2023, October 20). Nurse certification and test anxiety. Podium presentation at the Baylor Scott & White Ignite Research and Evidence-Based Practice Summit in Dallas, TX.
  • Stanzo, K.C. (2023, October 20). Intimate partner violence and depression in NICU mothers. Podium presentation at the Baylor Scott & White Ignite Research and Evidence-Based Practice Summit in Dallas, TX.
  • Roman, L. (2023, October 20). Using an acuity tool in the ICU to increase staff satisfaction with patient assignments. Podium presentation at the Baylor Scott & White Ignite Research and Evidence-Based Practice Summit in Dallas, TX.
  • Babaylan, A. (2023, October 20). Using the DIVA Scale to decrease IV sticks in ACU patients. Podium presentation at the Baylor Scott & White Ignite Research and Evidence-Based Practice Summit in Dallas, TX.
  • Medrano, C., Edono, C., & Strickland, J. (2023, October 20). Rapid Response Nurse. Podium presentation at the Baylor Scott & White Ignite Research and Evidence-Based Practice Summit in Dallas, TX.
  • Stanzo, K. C., Kumar, V., Chiruvolu, A. & Cipher, D.J. (2022, November). How much glucose is in the gel used to treat neonatal hypoglycemia? Podium presentation at the Baylor Scott & White Research and Evidence Based Practice Summit in Dallas, TX.

Poster presentations

  • Hodges, N., Tijerina, A., Baker, B. & Thinnes, E. (2025, July). Vertical flow: Improving ED outcomes. Poster presentation at the American Hospital Association Conference in Orlando, FL.
  • Hodges, N., Tijerina, A., Baker, B. & Thinnes, E. (2025, June). Vertical flow: Improving ED outcomes. Poster presentation at the Texas Nurses Association Conference in Austin, TX.
  • Hodges, N., Tijerina, A., Baker, B. & Thinnes, E. (2025, June). Vertical flow: Improving ED outcomes. Poster presentation at the IES Conference in Dallas, TX.
  • Stanzo, K., Szostek, T., Desai, S., & Chiruvolu, A. (2025, June) Clinical outcomes in newborns receiving Glutose 15 versus Sweet Cheeks oral glucose gel for neonatal hypoglycemia. Poster presentation at the AWHONN Conference in Orlando, FL.
  • Wall, H. & Sharlow, J. (2025, May). The impact of non-pharmacological labor support on patient experience. Poster presentation at the Texas AHONN Conference in Allen, TX.
  • Shannon, O. (2025, April). Role Cards for Code Blue in OR. Poster presentation at the Seattle Nursing Research Consortium Conference in Seattle, WA.
  • Desai, S., Stanzo, K.C., Benskin, B., Gilkey, T., Cardenas, K., Petrey, B., & Chiruvolu, A. (2023, September). Intimate partner violence and depression in NICU mothers. Poster presentation at the Academy of Neonatal Nurses Conference in Las Vegas, NV.
  • Stanzo, K.C., Reynolds, A., Alexander, W., Cruz, M., DeMoss, M., Hollingsworth, B., Jackson, T., Schrah, S., & Nwawuihe, J. (2023, June). Nurse certification and test anxiety. Poster presentation at the Texas Nurses Association Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Hodges, N., Medrano, C. & Ballard, S. (2023, June). A dedicated rapid response nurse improves outcomes. Poster presentation at the Texas Nurses Association Conference, Houston, TX.
  • Desai, S., Stanzo, K.C., Benskin, B., Gilkey, T., Cardenas, K., Petrey, B., & Chiruvolu, A. (2023, April). Intimate partner violence and depression in NICU mothers. Podium presentation at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Washington, D.C.
  • Stanzo, K.C. & Dehorney, I. (2023, February). Three Documents and Two Site Visits in a COVID Year? Oh My! Poster presentation at the Texas Organization of Nurse Leaders, Dallas, Texas.
  • Stanzo, K.C. & Dehorney, I. (2022, October). Three Documents and Two Site Visits in a COVID Year? Oh My! Poster presentation at the Magnet and Pathway to Excellence Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Stanzo, K. C., Kumar, V., Chiruvolu, A. & Cipher, D.J. (2022, February). How much glucose is in the gel used to treat neonatal hypoglycemia? Poster presented at the Southern Nursing Research Society Conference in New Orleans, LA.
  • Arrendell, C.S. (2021, August). Slapped and grabbed? How can we keep staff safe? ANPD Conference, Chicago, IL