Interim CEO Dan Wilson, MBA, BSN, RN, FABC
Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH) has an extensive history of nursing education. It began in 1883 when PAH started operating its own School of Nursing, a training and certification program for nurses. In 1974, PAH graduated its final nursing class, as degree programs at local colleges and universities became more common practice. Although PAH no longer houses a nursing school within its walls, our campus still flourishes with educational and professional opportunities to elevate the nursing profession.
One of these many initiatives at PAH includes the Clinical Nurse 1 Ambassador Program, featured in this month’s System News newsletter, which serves as a resource to help acclimate new-to-practice nurses to our night shift.
While this is a new program, launched in 2022, I have witnessed this type of guidance and support among our nursing staff ever since I first joined PAH as a Critical Care nurse in 1994. I am grateful for the numerous mentors I’ve worked alongside over the years who have demonstrated exceptional care, not only for their patients but for their team members.
Our staff continue to inspire me year after year. We especially recognize their contributions and dedication to patient care during National Nurses Week. Celebrated each May, the week is comprised of professional development opportunities, mindfulness activities, and award ceremonies.
This month, we are also excited to welcome PAH’s Chief Nursing Officer. After a national and highly competitive search, I am proud to announce the arrival of Melissa L. Zak, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, to our Executive Leadership team, joining us from Virtua Health. I have confidence that she will continue PAH’s tradition of not only educating our nursing workforce, but empowering them to set new standards of excellence and achieve high-quality care.