The 2018 Excellence in Healthcare Awards celebrate and honor those committed to improving patient experience
Over 200 healthcare professionals from across the U.S. gathered in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, to recognize the nation’s leading healthcare organizations at the 18th annual Excellence in Healthcare Conference presented by Professional Research Consultants (PRC).
“These exceptional organizations work every day to enhance the patient experience and deliver excellence in healthcare,” Joe M. Inguanzo, Ph.D., president and CEO of PRC said. “I’m thankful we can take the time to recognize their important work.”
During the annual awards ceremony on May 22, Anthony R. Tersigni, Ed.D., FACHE, president and CEO of Ascension, was honored with the President’s Award; Mary Kate Dilts Skaggs, RN, MSN, NE-BC, of the Southern Ohio Medical Center received the Leading Light Award; and the Culture of Excellence Award went to WakeMed Health and Hospitals.
2018 President’s Award
The President’s Award recognizes an organization or individual that has made an extraordinary contribution to healthcare. The 2018 Excellence in Healthcare President’s Award was presented to Anthony R. Tersigni, Ed.D., FACHE, president and CEO of Ascension in St. Louis, Missouri.
“Dr. Tersigni has been a progressive leader in the healthcare industry over the past 20 years,” Dr. Inguanzo said. “His hard work has enabled Ascension to bring help and healing to the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Before becoming the first president and CEO of Ascension in 2012, Dr. Tersigni served as president and CEO of Ascension Health. He also served as Ascension Health’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. Prior to Ascension Health, Dr. Tersigni held the positions of executive vice president and COO and then president and CEO of St. John Health, Detroit (now St. John Providence).
2018 Leading Light Award
PRC’s Leading Light Award recognizes a member of the healthcare industry who educates colleagues about patient experience measurement and effectively improves patient experience scores. The 2018 recipient is Mary Kate Dilts Skaggs, RN, MSN, NE-BC, of the Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.
“Mary Kate has made an undeniable impact on her organization, developing strategies to educate staff and positively impacting the patient experience at the Southern Ohio Medical Center,” Christy Harris, senior consultant and ANCC liaison at PRC, said.
Skaggs is the director of nursing for Emergency and Outpatient Services, managing the emergency department and two urgent care centers. She has co-chaired Service Leadership for the organization for the past 10 years while participating in research that aims to improve emergency department and urgent care patient satisfaction.
2018 Culture of Excellence Award
The Institute for Healthcare Excellence presented WakeMed Health and Hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina, with the 2018 Culture of Excellence Award, which recognizes an organization that relentlessly pursues and achieves excellence.
“WakeMed is committed to providing outstanding and compassionate care,” William Maples, M.D., president and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Excellence, said. “Their team is steadfast in cultivating a culture of excellence and continuously strive to do greater, serving as an example for hospitals and health systems throughout the country.”
Founded in 1961, WakeMed Health and Hospitals is a nationally recognized, private, not-for-profit healthcare organization. The largest health system in Wake County, WakeMed is a leader in cardiac and vascular care, women’s and children’s services, emergency medicine and trauma care, physical rehabilitation, and neurosciences.