Awards & Recognitions

A center of excellence with Gold Status

Sponsor: International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS)
Awardee: Pauley Heart Center

The Pauley Heart Center has been designated as a center of excellence with Gold Status by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS). To reach Gold Status, centers of excellence must excel in areas including research and publications, education, program quality, and more. This status is a reflection of an institute’s quality and level of resources dedicated to cardio-oncology, meaning Pauley’s cardio-oncology team is well-positioned as one of the top teams by ICOS standards.

Leapfrog's Highest Ratings for Safety

Sponsor: The Leapfrog Group
Awardee: VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital

VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital received an “A” grade, the highest possible ranking, from The Leapfrog Group’s fall 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for the fifth time. This national designation recognizes a hospital’s efforts in protecting patients from preventable harm.

Lown Institute Ranking of the Most Socially Responsible Hospitals in America

Sponsor: Lown Institute Hospitals Index
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

VCU Medical Center has achieved top grades on the Lown Institute ranking of the most socially responsible hospitals in America. In challenging times like these, achieving “A” grades on this nationally recognized program is positive and inspiring news. The Lown Institute Hospitals Index is the first to measure Social Responsibility for more than 3,600 hospitals nationwide. The Index evaluates hospitals on 53 metrics across categories of health equity, value, and outcomes.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation’s (PFF) National Care Center Network

Sponsor: The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF)
Awardee: VCU Health

VCU Health has been recognized as part of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation’s (PFF) National Care Center Network. The PFF Care Center Network is a group of 74 medical centers with expertise in accurately diagnosing and treating individuals with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Computed Tomography Reaccreditation

Sponsor: American College of Radiology
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of reaccreditation in computed tomography (CT) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety.

Outstanding Heart Failure Care Team Award

Sponsor: Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA)
Awardee: Heart Failure Disease Management Team at VCU Health

Dealing with every aspect of heart failure from diagnosis to treatment, our Heart Failure Disease Management Team is made up of the inpatient heart failure navigator team, the outpatient heart failure APPs, and the heart failure nurse coordinators. As it recognizes a comprehensive heart failure disease management team offered in and out of the hospital, this HFSA award is a result of the collaborative efforts of the teammates working across the various parts of our heart failure team.

Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence

Sponsor: Parkinson's Foundation
Awardee: Virginia Commonwealth University’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center is now one of only 33 centers in the U.S. and 47 medical centers worldwide recognized by the Parkinson’s Foundation as a Center of Excellence. In Virginia, VCU’s center is the only one holding the elite designation.

To qualify for the five-year designation, a center must have a specialized team of neurologists, movement disorder specialists, physical and occupational therapists, mental health professionals and others who are up to date on the latest medications, therapies and research to provide the best care.

Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke

GOLD PLUS with Target: Stroke
Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

Sponsor: American Health Association
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

VCU Health was given this award for continued success in using the Get with the Guidelines program. VCU Health applied the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes in the community we serve.

Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification

Sponsor: The Joint Commission
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

The Joint Commission's Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification is the most demanding stroke certification and is designed hospitals that have specific abilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases.

VCU Medical Center was the first hospital in Virginia to receive this designation, and we continue to be a leader in stroke care.

Best Hospitals for Maternity

Sponsor: U.S. News & World Report
Awardee: VCU Medical Center and VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health hospitals excel on multiple quality metrics that matter to expectant families, including complications rate, C-section rate, breastfeeding rate and support for vaginal births after a C-section.

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) “Triple Aim” Best Practice Award

Sponsor: American College of Nurse-Midwives
Awardee: Midwives at VCU Health

Our team of certified nurse-midwives are one of only two Virginia practices to be recognized by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the only practice in the Central region.

Designation of Excellence in Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Sponsor: American College of Radiology
Awardee: VCU Health Radiology Department

The VCU Health Radiology Department has earned the Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence designation by the American College of Radiology for five VCU Health imaging centers at the Adult Outpatient Pavilion, Gateway, Main Hospital, Short Pump Pavilion and Stony Point 9000. The designation, a three-year status, includes a comprehensive assessment of the entire medical imaging enterprise, including structure and outcomes. This elite distinction recognizes excellence at multiple levels, including staff professionalism, technology, policies and procedures, and patient care. Facilities with this designation of excellence must be accredited by the American College of Radiology in all modalities they provide, and in which the organization offers an accreditation program. Another requirement is to participate in the Dose Index Registry, Lung Cancer Screening, Image Wisely and Image Gently initiatives.

Vascular Lab Accreditation

Sponsor: Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

ICAVL accredited VCU Health CMH's vascular lab in the areas of venous, arterial and stroke-related testing. This latest accreditation demonstrates the facility’s ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in vascular testing.

Radiation Oncology Accreditation

Sponsor: American College of Radiology Committee on Radiation Oncology Practice
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital The ACR accredited the Solari Radiation Therapy Center after undergoing an audit of all aspects of treatment involving radiation therapy. They met or exceeded the college's standards of providing the safest and best quality care possible.

Commission on Cancer Accreditation

Sponsor: American College of Surgeons
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

The ACS accredited VCU Health CMH after showing improvement in quality of care through various cancer-related programs and activities. These programs are concerned with the full continuum of cancer—from prevention to survivorship and end-of-life-care—while addressing both survival and quality of life.

Cardiac Rehab Certification

Sponsor: American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health CMH’s cardiovascular rehabilitation team participated in an application process that required extensive documentation of the program’s practices. This certification is recognition of VCU Health CMH’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.

Best Hospitals for Maternity

Sponsor: U.S. News and World Report
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

The Garland Birthing Center excels on multiple quality metrics that matter to expectant families, including complications rate, C-section rate, breastfeeding rate and support for vaginal births after a C-section.

VCU Health earns the AHA/AMA Target: BP Gold Recognition

Sponsor: American Heart Association and American Medical Association
Awardee: VCU Health

VCU Health has been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) for their commitment to helping improve blood pressure (BP) control rates among the patient populations they serve, earning Gold level recognition as part of the 2021 Target: BP™ Recognition Program. The Gold award recognizes practices that have 70 percent or more of their adult patient population with high BP controlled.

Most Socially Responsible Hospital in Virginia

Sponsor: Lown Institute
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

VCU Medical Center is the best-ranked hospital for social responsibility in Virginia, according to the Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility. The social responsibility score is based on 54 metrics, including health equity, inclusivity, community benefit, cost efficiency and pay equity.

The social responsibility list is part of the Lown Institute's ranking of 3,010 hospitals based on 54 metrics across three main categories: equity, value and outcomes. Metrics included inclusivity, pay equity, avoiding overuse, and clinical outcomes, as well as cost efficiency.

U.S. News & World Report Best Children's Hospital

Sponsor: U.S. News & World Report
Awardee: Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU

U.S. News & World Report's 2021-22 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings have been released, and Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU has again been named among the country’s top 50 hospitals in caring for kids. CHoR earned rankings in four pediatric specialties - urology, pulmonology, nephrology and cancer.

Accreditation in Medical Imaging

Sponsor: American College of Radiology
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital has been recognized as the gold standard in medical imaging for mammography, nuclear Medicine, ultrasound, MRI, and CT by demonstrating a commitment to providing the safest and best quality care possible to your patients, payers and referring physicians.

Main Laboratory Accreditation

Sponsor: Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital's main laboratory has been accredited for demonstrating excellence in patient care and confidence in laboratory practices.

Gold Status for the Virginia Antibiotic Stewardship Honor Roll Program

Sponsor: The Virginia Healthcare Associated Infection Advisory Group
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital earned Gold Status for the Virginia Antibiotic Stewardship Honor Roll Program for meeting specific criteria in the education and appropriate use of antibiotics.

Primary Stroke Center

Sponsor: The Joint Commission
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital has been named a Primary Stroke Center for providing the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

Get with The Guidelines: Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award

Sponsor: American Heart Association
Awardee: VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital has been recognized for demonstrating at least 85 percent compliance in each of the seven Get With The Guidelines®- Stroke Achievement Measures, for 24 consecutive months or more.

National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center

Sponsor: National Cancer Institute
Awardee: VCU Massey Cancer Center

VCU Massey Cancer Center is one of just 71 cancer centers in the US and one of only two in Virginia to be designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI Cancer Centers Program was created as part of the National Cancer Act of 1971 and is one of the anchors of the nation’s cancer research effort. Through this program, NCI recognizes centers around the country that meet rigorous standards for transdisciplinary, state-of-the-art research focused on developing new and better approaches to preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer.

Minority-underserved NCI Community Oncology Research Program

Sponsor: National Cancer Institute
Awardee: VCU Massey Cancer Center

Massey is designated by the NCI as a Minority-underserved NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) institution to lead a statewide clinical trials network that fosters access to cancer research for minority and medically underserved patients. This designation also means that at least 30 percent of Massey’s patient population are minorities or underserved. Massey is also conducting NCI-funded studies aimed at reducing cancer incidence and mortality among minorities. Massey’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program is a national leader in the study of health disparities, studying the forces causing or contributing to disparities and developing interventions to provide equal access to quality cancer care and prevention.

Advanced Certification for Palliative Care

Sponsor: The Joint Commission
Awardee: VCU Massey Cancer Center

VCU Massey Cancer Center and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU were the first in Virginia The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for their palliative care programs. The certification is designed to recognize programs demonstrating exceptional patient and family-centered care that focuses on optimizing the quality of life for those with serious illnesses.

Top Performance in Quality-In-Sight® Hospital Incentive Program (Q-HIP)

Sponsor: Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Awardee: VCU Medical Center & VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital

The Anthem Q-HIP program works to improve hospital clinical quality and health outcomes. Hospitals are recognized and rewarded for excellence in clinical outcomes, patient safety and patient satisfaction. VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital was the No. 1 top performing hospital of the 82 that participated in the Q-HIP program. VCU Medical Center placed in the top decile of its peer group, ranking No. 2 out of 36 large, mostly academic medical centers caring for complex patients. These results are from the program that ran July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020.

Level I Adult and Pediatric Burn Center (reverification)

Sponsor: American Burn Association
Awardee: VCU Health Evans-Haynes Burn Center

Evans-Haynes Burn Center is the only nationally verified adult and pediatric burn center in the state of Virginia. Reverification came with accolades for strong community education programs, robust nursing burn competency program, and strong administrative and multidisciplinary support.

One of the World's Best Hospitals 2021

Sponsor: Newsweek
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

Recognized for distinguished physicians, excellence in nursing and state-of-the-art technology, VCU Medical Center has been named to Newsweek’s list of World's Best Hospitals 2021. Newsweek specifically recognized VCU Medical Center for performing above the national average in infection prevention. VCU Medical Center ranked among the top three health care institutions in Virginia and No. 83 in the country.

Magnet® hospital

Sponsor: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

VCU Medical Center has been re-designated as a Magnet® hospital for the fourth consecutive time. The Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national credential for nursing programs and is considered a gold standard. Only 8% of all registered hospitals in the United States have achieved ANCC Magnet recognition status, and VCU Medical Center has achieved this status since 2006.

No. 1 "Best Hospital" in the Richmond metro area

Sponsor: Richmond Times-Dispatch
Awardee: VCU Health

As winner of “Best Hospital,” VCU Health was recognized for providing innovative care for even the most complex patients. Teams were also recognized in the following categories: Weight Loss, Family Medicine, Orthopedics and Physical Therapy.

America's Best-in-State Employers – No. 15 in Virginia

Sponsor: Forbes
Awardee: VCU Health

The “America’s Best-In-State Employers 2020” title acknowledges high-quality employers. VCU Health ranked No. 15 in the state.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center's Coronary Intensive Care Unit

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day. This is our CICU's second year receiving this honor.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center's North 5 Comprehensive Medicine Unit

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day. As of November 2020, VCU Medical Center has 13 active Beacon units, the second-most Beacon units of any hospital in the country.

No. 1 "Best Hospital" in the Richmond metro area

Sponsor: U.S. News & World Report
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

VCU Medical Center has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in the Richmond metro area for 10 years in a row. For the 2020-2021 ranking, VCU Medical Center also ranks as the No. 2 hospital in Virginia, and among the top 50 in the country for cardiology & heart surgery and urology.

One of the 100 Great Hospitals in America

Sponsor: Becker's Healthcare
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

Considered one of the 100 greatest hospitals in the country, VCU Medical Center was recognized for national excellence in clinical care, patient outcomes and staff and physician satisfaction.

Top 50 Major Teaching Hospitals in America 2020

Sponsor: Lown Institute Hospitals Index
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

This new ranking considers civic leadership and value of care in addition to patient outcomes.

Gold Level Award for Excellence in Life Support – Adult and Pediatric

Sponsor: Extracorporeal Life Support Organization
Awardee: VCU Health

The Gold Level Award for Excellence in Life Support recognizes centers across the world that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to one of the most delicate life-saving therapies.

Get With The Guidelines®- Stroke GOLD PLUS Quality Achievement Award

Sponsor: American Heart Association + American Stroke Association
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Get With The Guidelines®-Target: Stroke Elite Plus Award

Sponsor: American Heart Association + American Stroke Association
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke.

Get With The Guidelines®-Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Award

Sponsor: American Heart Association + American Stroke Association
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90 % of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”

“Best of Virginia” Central Virginia Best Services Winner – Hospital

Sponsor: Virginia Living Magazine
Awardee: VCU Medical Center

Virginia Living Magazine readers selected VCU Health as the third best hospital in the Central region.

“Best of Virginia” Central Virginia Best Services Winner – Orthopedic Practice

Sponsor: Virginia Living Magazine
Awardee: VCU Health Sports Medicine

Virginia Living Magazine readers selected VCU Health Sports Medicine as the third best orthopedic practice in the Central region.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center's Supplemental Staffing Unit

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Six-year joint accreditation for VCU Health Continuing Medical Education

Sponsor:Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE); American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Awardee: VCU Health Continuing Medical Education

Health care professionals can take advantage of VCU Health's continuing medical education activities to maintain their licensure and/or certification.

WASOG Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence

Sponsor: The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSA) and World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG)
Awardee: The VCU Health Multidisciplinary Sarcoidosis Clinic

The VCU Health Multidisciplinary Sarcoidosis Clinic is the only treatment center of its kind in Virginia to achieve the Center of Excellence status given by the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSA) and World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG). The program is one of 25 in the world. To have this recognition, a program must serve the unique needs of sarcoidosis patients. Learn more about WASOG Sarcoidosis Centers of Excellence.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Massey Cancer Center Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant Program Inpatient Nursing

VCU Massey Cancer Center’s Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant Program has received multiple Beacon Awards from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. A Beacon Award signifies a positive and supportive work environment with greater collaboration between colleagues and leaders, higher morale and lower turnover. The process can be driven by the nursing staff; nurturing empowerment and leadership.

Maternal Mental Health Innovation Award

Sponsor: 2020 Mom + Marce Society of North America
Awardee: VCU Health Peripartum Clinic

This clinic was nationally recognized for impactful clinical programs, and was one of six practices in the country to receive this recognition.

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Care Award

Sponsor: International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners + International Lactation Consultant Association
Awardee: Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU

This global award recognizes hospitals and health agencies that hire board certified IBCLC and have dedicated lactation support programs. CHoR was recognized for its training programs and for implementing special programs like telemedicine visits during COVID-19 to ensure breastfeeding parents were able to receive lactation care.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center's Adult Psychiatry Unit

Our unit was the first psychiatry unit in the country to receive a Beacon Award, which shows exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center's Cellular Immunotherapy and Transplant Unit

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center’s Acute Care Surgery

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Best in Pathology, Laboratory Quality, Proficiency Testing, Technology and Patient Safety

Sponsor: College of American Pathologists
Awardee: VCU Medical Center's Department of Pathology

The pathology department has continuously met the highest standards of laboratory quality and proficiency testing since the CAP began its Laboratory Accreditation Program in 1964, ensuring that patients are receiving the best medical care and most accurate diagnosis and treatment possible.

HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence

Sponsor: Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Inc.
Awardee: VCU Health System

This award recognizes outstanding achievement of organizations that have utilized health information technology to substantially improve patient outcomes and value.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center’s Surgical Trauma ICU

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center’s Surgery Trauma Unit (M9C)

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Gold Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center's Acute Care Medicine Unit

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Gold Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Medical Center’s Security Care Unit

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Bronze Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Health Gumenick Suites

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Health Evans-Haynes Burn Center

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Gold Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee:VCU Medical Center Orthopaedic Surgery units

The Beacon Award for Excellence hospital units show exemplary practice in providing the best care for patients and families every day.

A "Most Wired" Health Care Organizations in the Country

Sponsor: American Hospital Association's Health Forum
Awardee: VCU Health

Most Wired organizations utilize population health management tools and partner with other health care providers to share critical clinical information used in analyzing interventions aimed at key patient groups.

Comprehensive Accredited Education Institute Designation

Sponsor: American College of Surgeons
Awardee: VCU Center for Human Simulation and Patient Safety

The center is a collaboration between the VCU School of Medicine and VCU Health. The accreditation recognizes the quality of the institution’s educational programs.

Vista Award

Sponsor: American Society of Healthcare Engineering
Awardee: VCU Medical center Emergency Medicine Department

An award for the execution and completion of VCU Medical Center's renovated 67,000 square-foot Department of Emergency Medicine. One of only three hospital teams given the award for either construction, renovation or infrastructure projects that exemplify collaboration in creating optimal health care environments.

Beacon Award for Excellence (Silver Level)

Sponsor: American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Awardee: VCU Massey Cancer Center Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant Program Inpatient Nursing

VCU Massey Cancer Center’s Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant Program has received multiple Beacon Awards from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. A Beacon Award signifies a positive and supportive work environment with greater collaboration between colleagues and leaders, higher morale and lower turnover. The process can be driven by the nursing staff; nurturing empowerment and leadership.