Magnet Redesignation® for 2019-2022
Shore Regional Health Medical Centers Achieve Magnet Redesignation® for 2019 - 2022 from Magnet Recognition Program®
In September 2019, University of Maryland Shore Medical Centers at Dorchester and Easton, as well as UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, achieved Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Both UM Shore Medical Centers at Dorchester and Easton were first awarded Magnet Recognition® status in 2009, so have been redesignated. UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown has achieved Magnet Recognition® status for the first time.
Magnet Recognition® is an organizational credential granted to exceptional health care organizations that meet specific standards set forth by the ANCC. To achieve Magnet Recognition®, an organization must meet standards in quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. This designation, which must be reapplied for every four years if an organization wishes to maintain the status, is the ultimate distinction for high quality nursing care and a primary source of best nursing practices worldwide. Achieved by only 8 percent of all registered hospitals in the United States, Magnet® recognition is the ultimate distinction for high quality nursing care. At present, UM Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton are three of only 10 hospitals in Maryland, including University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, that are Magnet® designated.
UM Shore Regional Health’s Magnet® 2019 re-designation process included an extensive application and documentation process, followed by a three-day visit to all sites conducted by a team of appraisers from ANCC.
“It is an honor to be the new CNO at Shore Regional Health, a Magnet® designated health care system,” said Jennifer L. Bowie, vice president, Nursing and Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer. “Prior to my arrival at Shore, I had joined the team for the Magnet® site visit and saw firsthand the passion our nurses have for our patients and how those patients and their families are at the center of everything our Shore nurses do. My heart was truly touched. I am proud of our nurses and their achievement, and I look forward to the journey ahead. We have much to celebrate.
“The nursing staffs of Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton have worked incredibly hard to advance professional nursing practice in our hospitals and patient care programs, while maintaining the highest standards of evidence-based, patient-centered care,” said Ken Kozel, president and CEO, UM Shore Regional Health. “For our Dorchester and Easton medical centers, achieving re-designation from the Magnet® Recognition Program is a great achievement that exemplifies consistent nursing excellence. Today, we are especially excited and proud that Shore Medical Center at Chestertown has earned the prestigious Magnet® distinction as well, solidifying Shore Regional Health as a Magnet® health care system. On behalf of our senior leadership team and the Board of UM Shore Regional Health, I extend utmost appreciation and congratulations to everyone involved in our Magnet® journey.”
University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for the more than 170,000 residents of the Mid-Shore region including Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties. University of Maryland Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton are member hospitals of Shore Regional Health, which is part of the University of Maryland Medical System.