Chief Nurse Executive, Baystate Health and Chief Nursing Officer, Baystate Medical Center
If you had to walk in a nurses’ shoes for one day, you might feel tired – nurses walk an average of eight miles during their 12-hour shift. But you also would feel a spark – a feeling of hope that allows you to push through even the most challenging shift.
At Baystate Health, Joanne Miller knows that spark well. “I didn’t pick nursing, nursing picked me,” said Joanne. “I feel like this is the best career.” Now, she is striving to support the needs of the 2,500 nurses at Baystate Health—both novice and experienced—so they can continue to advance care and enhance the lives of patients.
Achieving Excellence
“With four consecutive American Nurses Credentialing Center® Nursing Magnet designations, Baystate Medical Center is on its way to earning a fifth distinction, which places us in the top 1% of hospitals in the world. This translates to improved health outcomes, reduced patient complications, decreased length of hospital stay, and a better patient experience,” notes Joanne.
“During COVID, our nurses sacrificed their safety and their loved ones’ safety to be able to take care of COVID patients when there were so many unanswered questions about what we were dealing with,” shares Joanne. “Our nurses provide clinically excellent and compassionate care, and I am both humbled and privileged to work alongside them.”
“As part of my role, I ensure that nurses receive comprehensive support, addressing both their physical and mental well-being,” Joanne emphasizes. “Our team includes nurse educators and dedicated mentors who guide nurses in their decision-making process and provide a listening ear. We go above and beyond to ensure they have the necessary resources—be it equipment, supplies, staffing, or training—to deliver optimal patient care and to stay resilient and strong. The invaluable philanthropic support we receive plays a crucial role in making this commitment a reality.”
If You Build It, They Will Come
To help with this effort, Healthier Tomorrows: The Campaign for Baystate Health is raising funds to create a Center for Nursing Innovation and Excellence at Baystate Medical Center. The Center will include an area that simulates the clinical setting for nurses to hone their skills, and a training facility for workshops, classes, and other collaborative endeavors. As the hub for Baystate Health’s efforts to train current nurses and develop the next generation of nurses in western Massachusetts, the Center will also serve as a powerful recruiting and retention tool to ensure Baystate Health has the nurses we need to meet the healthcare demands of the future.
Join with others in the community to support nursing excellence! To explore tax-savvy options, reach out to Kylie.Johnson@BaystateHealth.org or 413.794.7789.