Magnet Moment: Countdown to 6! 24 Months Away!

Unit Highlighted: 8M ICU, 3 Wishes Program

Magnet Moments highlight programs, people, and impacts that align with Magnet designation, a nationally recognized credential awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) that reflects excellence in nursing practice, quality patient outcomes, and a culture of professional empowerment.

Leigh Morris was personally named on the Press Ganey Survey. " I needed to get a breast sonogram and no one in the area could get me in until the end of March. Your facility called and had an appointment for me in a few days. Not only did I need a sonogram I needed a mammogram. Leigh went above and beyond to contact my doctor to get a script and also to get a previous mammogram. She not only kept me informed but went to the waiting room to keep my husband informed. The Mammogram department scheduled me in immediately.

Tammy Purser always going above and beyond to not only help her coworkers but our patients. Today she bent over backwards to assist in a manner with a patient. Their appointment was cancelled and it was a huge mess. She spent almost an hour making calls and getting it fixed for this patient. We love her, best team lead a department could ask for. 

Want to recognize Andrew Tressler and the Chaplaincy team for their leadership and focus in creating such a welcoming and impactful Ramadan Break the Fast event for our Muslim colleagues and their families.  The event was well attended and brought our on-schedule colleagues (physicians, staff, residents and medical students) together with their families to celebrate their cultures and share joy over a meal. This event had a huge impact on our Carilion colleagues.

Weston entered the world on October 3, 2025, to his mom, Cam, and dad, Jim. He was born at 26 weeks gestation (14 weeks early) and started proving he was stronger than anyone could imagine. His arrival marked his family’s second Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) journey, a place no parent hopes to return to, yet one that once again surrounded them with compassion, resilience, and unexpected moments of joy.

Dr Richard Dykstra @ CFMH took care of my 8-year-old grandson in the ER yesterday. I was so pleased with his bed side manner and how he found my grandson's issue. Most dr's would have brushed his sx's off as a stomach virus, but he was very in tuned with my grandson's health. He explained to me that what caught his eye was my grandson's color and his resp at rest was high. This man saved my grandson's life. He found out that my grandson was in DKA and had type 1 diabetes that we were not aware he had. . He had my grandson shipped to RMH where he is in the PICU.

I would like to recognize Jenna Matney, an ER nurse at Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital for showing compassion in helping a couple who had been seen in the ED. After they were discharged and got to their car, they realized that their car wouldn't start and that they were out of gas. Jenna went out and bought a gas can and some gas so that they could get to the nearest gas station. Way to show compassion Jenna!!! :)

On December 17, our Infectious Diseases (ID) team launched a new hepatitis C mobile unit and it’s already making a big impact. In the first few outings, the mobile unit helped 10 patients connect with an ID provider and supported medication delivery and teaching at home.

By bringing care directly to patients, this effort reduces barriers like transportation, time, and stigma. Huge shoutout to Jillian Smith, LPN, for leading this work and building trust with patients every step of the way.

I want to thank James Clark, in dining, for noticing a patient condition was declining. He notified our staff immediately and we were able to get her the care she needed. We are so thankful to have him on the unit and appreciate all he does!

During Ambulatory Nurses Week, we want to acknowledge the significant contributions of our ambulatory nurses across Carilion Clinic’s 200+ multispecialty clinics. Daily, your expertise, compassion, and professionalism guide our patients through prevention, specialty care, and chronic disease management.

Ambulatory nursing at Carilion is essential and continuously evolving. We aim for excellence by applying advanced clinical judgment, critical thinking, and care coordination, ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time.