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Cultivating a culture of continuous improvement of service and inquiry 

At Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano, our nurses share a deep commitment to the patients and their family members they serve. The collective work, nursing Shared Governance structures, and intradisciplinary collaboration allow the team to deliver exceptional care. The nurses engage in safety and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts to deliver high-quality care in a safe and compassionate manner to the diverse patient population they serve.

ANCC Magnet® designation

The Magnet® Recognition Program designates organizations for nursing excellence and improved patient outcomes. In 2012, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano achieved its first Magnet® designation. We will submit the fourth re-designation document in October 2025. Our clinical nurses and leaders are committed to the development of nursing excellence, a healthy work environment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and nursing education.

Transformational leadership

  • The President of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano, Jerri Garison MSHA, BSN, RN, has received national recognition for her leadership and innovative contributions.
  • Susan Moats DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, the Chief Nursing Officer, along with Ivana Dehorney, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, the Director of Nursing Excellence, and Karen Stanzo, PhD, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC, the Nurse Scientist, have all been honored as recipients of the DFW Great 100 Nurse Award.
  • Registered Nurses at every level actively participate in committees, contribute to shared governance, and engage in strategic planning. Collaborating within the framework of shared governance, nurses work closely with Dr. Moats to enhance the work environment throughout the organization. Their collective efforts drive positive change and foster a culture of excellence.
  • Dr. Moats assists the Nursing Excellence team and the Nursing Professional Development team in implementing and developing a nursing leadership succession planning program, as well as nursing certification initiatives. Additionally, she facilitates nursing participation in regional and system-wide committees.
  • Dr. Moats holds a pivotal role as a senior nursing leader within the Dallas-Fort Worth Eastern Region of Baylor Scott & White. This expansive region encompasses six hospitals and represents a dedicated team of over 2,700 nurses.
  • Nursing leaders, under the guidance of Dr. Moats, have successfully implemented a strategy to reduce nurse-sensitive indicators (NSIs). They’ve also created a scorecard with a strong focus on achieving zero harm. The NSI data is meticulously tracked and reviewed during meetings of the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano Staff Nurse Council (SNC). During these sessions, nurses collaborate to identify trends and devise effective solutions. As the SNC executive sponsor, Dr. Moats actively engages with the council’s chair and co-chair, providing mentorship and assisting in overcoming any barriers.
  • Through transformational leadership, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano nurses experienced a strong sense of support in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This positive impact is clearly reflected in the NDNQI RN Survey responses, which surpassed national benchmarks.

Structural empowerment

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano:
  • Clinical Nurse BSN-and-above rate is 92%
  • Nurse leader BSN-and-above rate is 97%
  • Clinical nurse certification is 39%, which is an increase from 25% in 2022
  • The nurse leader certification rate is 64%, which is an increase from 49% in 2022.

Every nursing department at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano maintains an active unit-based council as an integral component of the hospital’s Shared Governance structure and the hospital’s Staff Nurse Council (SNC). Nurses actively engage in over 30 hospital and system decision-making committees, contributing their expertise and insights to enhance patient care and organizational excellence.

Baylor Scott & White Health provides robust support to its nurses, ensuring their professional growth and development. From the very first day of hire, both full-time and part-time nurses have access to tuition reimbursement and assistance for RN certification testing. This commitment to ongoing education empowers nurses to excel in their roles and deliver exceptional patient care.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano has a nationally recognized Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP), accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This program exemplifies excellence in transitioning nurses to new practice settings. The hospital has consistently outperformed benchmark scores on the transition to practice program survey, consistently ranking among the top five performing hospitals nationwide.

Exemplary professional practice

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano:
  • Received five stars from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2023
  • Presented Women Choice award for best hospital for bariatric surgery, patient safety, minimally invasive surgery, cancer care, stroke care, and for patient experience in 2024
  • Achieved “A” rating from Leapfrog Hospital safety in 2023
  • Through the Caring Nurse Award and the Excellence in Nursing Award, nurses are recognized by their colleagues and patients. These recognitions celebrate their dedication and outstanding contributions to patient care.
  • Each year, clinical nurses from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano participate in evidence-based improvements through learning at Texas Christian University 
  • Annually, clinical nurses from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano engage in evidence-based improvements by participating in learning programs at Texas Christian University.
  • Advanced practice providers are integrated within the acute care and ambulatory setting
  • Recipients of nursing awards as nominated by peers:
    • Belen Vidad, BSN, RN, CMSRN, clinical nurse 5th floor, 2023 Excellence in Nursing recipient
    • Angelita Hamill, BSN, RN, CGRN, clinical nurse GI lab, 2023 Excellence in Nursing recipient
    • Vanessa Beard, BSN, RN, clinical nurse supervisor ED, 2023 Excellence in Nursing recipient
    • Sean McKee, BSN, RN, clinical nurse supervisor 7th floor, 2024 Excellence in Nursing recipient
    • Jisha Stanley, BSN, RN, PMRN-BC, med-surg RN-BC, NPD-BC, clinical nurse 5th floor, 2024 Excellence in Nursing recipient
    • Bailey Patterson, BSN, RN, clinical nurse supervisor ED, 2024 Excellence in Nursing recipient
    • Dejin Omer, BSN, RN, RN-BC, Dallas D-Magazine 2023 Excellence in Nursing recipient 
    • Ivana Dehorney, DNP, RN, NEA-NC, NPD-BC, 2022 DFW Great 100 Nurses
    • Sherry Reynolds, DFW Great 100 Nurses, 2021 DFW Great 100 Nurses
    • Belen Vidad, BSN, RN, CMSRN, clinical nurse 5th floor, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Plano Charge Nurse Award, 2023
    • Gianna King, BSN, RN, clinical nurse Progressive Care Unit, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Plano Novice Nurse Award, 2023
    • Priya Alphonse, BSN, RN, clinical nurse 4th floor, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Plano Clinical Coach Award, 2023

New knowledge, innovations and improvements

​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Research studies

    Research studies

    • Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K: Enhanced communication and health literacy awareness to decrease heart failure readmission rates.
    • Marinetta DeMoss, MSN, RN-BC, RCIS and Sarah Schrah Sherrill, BSN, RN: Nurse certification and test anxiety.
    • Nadine Lefkof, BSN, RN: Visitor restriction policies and falls.
  • Publications

    Publications

    Fair, L., Duggan, E., Dellinger, E. P., Bedros, N., Godawa, K., Krusinski, C., Curran, R., Hart, C., Zhu, A., Peters, W., Fleshman, J., & Fichera, A. (2023). Sixth annual Enhanced Recovery After Surgery symposium highlights: work in progress or standard care? Proceedings - Baylor University. Medical Center, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2023.2221112

  • Poster presentations

    Poster presentations

    • Casey Cox, BSN, RN, CEN, NE-BC, and Vanessa Beard: “Removing human error from practice: Harness innovation to ensure equitable and quality care”. ANCC Magnet Conference: October 2022.
    • Karen Stanzo, PhD, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC and Ivana Dehorney, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC: “Three documents and two site visits in a COVID year? Oh my!”. ANCC Magnet Conference: October 2022.
    • Anne Clark, BSN, RN: “Handheld computers to reduce falls and improve patient experience”. Vizient Conference: March 2023.
    • Karen Stanzo, PhD, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC; Allison Reynolds, MSN, RNC-MNN, NEBC; Maria Sarah Faye Cruz, BSN, RN, CNOR; Marinetta DeMoss, MSN, RN-BC, RCIS; Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K; Tina Jackson, BSN, RN, CNOR; Sarah Schrah Sherrill, BSN, RN; and James Nwawuihe, MSc, BSc, BSN, RN: “Nurse certification and test anxiety”. Texas Nurses Association Conference: June 2023.
    • Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K and Alaina Tellson, PhD, RN-BC, NE-BC: “Enhanced communication and health literacy awareness to decrease heart failure readmission rates”. AMSN Conference: September 2023.
    • Megan Chiglo, BSN, RN and Maya Maldonado, BSN, RN: “Nurse-led vital signs”. ANCC Transition to Practice Symposium: April 2024.
  • Podium presentations

    Podium presentations

    • Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K and Alaina Tellson, PhD, RN-BC, NE-BC: “Registered Nurses’ confidence in the de-escalation of aggressive behavior”. Sigma Healthy Work Environment: February 2020.
    • Hollingsworth, Bria, NSB, RN, CCRN: “Registered Nurses' confidence in the deescalation of aggressive behavior”, Sigma International Creating Healthy Work Environments conference: February 2021.
    • Kim Godawa, MSN, RN, CCRN: “Hand-off process improvement”. ERAS Symposium: February 2023.
    • Karen Stanzo, PhD, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC; Allison Reynolds, MSN, RNC-MNN, NEBC; Maria Sarah Faye Cruz, BSN, RN, CNOR; Marinetta DeMoss, MSN, RN-BC, RCIS; Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K; Tina Jackson, BSN, RN, CNOR; Sarah Schrah Sherrill, BSN, RN; and James Nwawuihe, MSc, BSc, BSN, RN: “Nurse certification and test anxiety”. Baylor Scott White Research and EBP Conference: October 2023.
    • Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K and Alaina Tellson, PhD, RN-BC, NE-BC: “Enhanced communication and health literacy awareness to decrease heart failure readmission rates”. Southern Nursing Research Society: February 2024.
  • Texas Christian University (TCU) evidence-based fellowship participants

    Texas Christian University (TCU) evidence-based fellowship participants

    • Vanessa Beard, BSN, RN, Emergency Department
    • Sara D’Angelo, BSN, RN, CCRN, ICU
    • LaToyia McDonald, MSN, RN, VA-BC, Vascular Access Team
  • Nursing research scholar

    Nursing research scholar

    • Nadine Lefkof, BSN, RN, Recovery Room

Research studies

  • Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K: Enhanced communication and health literacy awareness to decrease heart failure readmission rates.
  • Marinetta DeMoss, MSN, RN-BC, RCIS and Sarah Schrah Sherrill, BSN, RN: Nurse certification and test anxiety.
  • Nadine Lefkof, BSN, RN: Visitor restriction policies and falls.

Publications

Fair, L., Duggan, E., Dellinger, E. P., Bedros, N., Godawa, K., Krusinski, C., Curran, R., Hart, C., Zhu, A., Peters, W., Fleshman, J., & Fichera, A. (2023). Sixth annual Enhanced Recovery After Surgery symposium highlights: work in progress or standard care? Proceedings - Baylor University. Medical Center, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2023.2221112

Poster presentations

  • Casey Cox, BSN, RN, CEN, NE-BC, and Vanessa Beard: “Removing human error from practice: Harness innovation to ensure equitable and quality care”. ANCC Magnet Conference: October 2022.
  • Karen Stanzo, PhD, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC and Ivana Dehorney, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC: “Three documents and two site visits in a COVID year? Oh my!”. ANCC Magnet Conference: October 2022.
  • Anne Clark, BSN, RN: “Handheld computers to reduce falls and improve patient experience”. Vizient Conference: March 2023.
  • Karen Stanzo, PhD, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC; Allison Reynolds, MSN, RNC-MNN, NEBC; Maria Sarah Faye Cruz, BSN, RN, CNOR; Marinetta DeMoss, MSN, RN-BC, RCIS; Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K; Tina Jackson, BSN, RN, CNOR; Sarah Schrah Sherrill, BSN, RN; and James Nwawuihe, MSc, BSc, BSN, RN: “Nurse certification and test anxiety”. Texas Nurses Association Conference: June 2023.
  • Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K and Alaina Tellson, PhD, RN-BC, NE-BC: “Enhanced communication and health literacy awareness to decrease heart failure readmission rates”. AMSN Conference: September 2023.
  • Megan Chiglo, BSN, RN and Maya Maldonado, BSN, RN: “Nurse-led vital signs”. ANCC Transition to Practice Symposium: April 2024.

Podium presentations

  • Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K and Alaina Tellson, PhD, RN-BC, NE-BC: “Registered Nurses’ confidence in the de-escalation of aggressive behavior”. Sigma Healthy Work Environment: February 2020.
  • Hollingsworth, Bria, NSB, RN, CCRN: “Registered Nurses' confidence in the deescalation of aggressive behavior”, Sigma International Creating Healthy Work Environments conference: February 2021.
  • Kim Godawa, MSN, RN, CCRN: “Hand-off process improvement”. ERAS Symposium: February 2023.
  • Karen Stanzo, PhD, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC; Allison Reynolds, MSN, RNC-MNN, NEBC; Maria Sarah Faye Cruz, BSN, RN, CNOR; Marinetta DeMoss, MSN, RN-BC, RCIS; Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K; Tina Jackson, BSN, RN, CNOR; Sarah Schrah Sherrill, BSN, RN; and James Nwawuihe, MSc, BSc, BSN, RN: “Nurse certification and test anxiety”. Baylor Scott White Research and EBP Conference: October 2023.
  • Bria Hollingsworth, MSN, RN, CCRN-K and Alaina Tellson, PhD, RN-BC, NE-BC: “Enhanced communication and health literacy awareness to decrease heart failure readmission rates”. Southern Nursing Research Society: February 2024.

Texas Christian University (TCU) evidence-based fellowship participants

  • Vanessa Beard, BSN, RN, Emergency Department
  • Sara D’Angelo, BSN, RN, CCRN, ICU
  • LaToyia McDonald, MSN, RN, VA-BC, Vascular Access Team

Nursing research scholar

  • Nadine Lefkof, BSN, RN, Recovery Room