In July 2024, Vallejo Medical Center proudly celebrated the first anniversary of achieving Magnet designation, marking its place in history as the first Kaiser Permanente hospital in Northern California to earn this prestigious honor. This milestone reflects the dedication, innovation, and profound commitment of every nurse in the hospital.
The celebration began with apple ciders in the hospital lobby, a heartfelt nod to the warm welcome extended to our Magnet appraisers a year ago. The event was graced by Regional CNE Toby Marsh MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Juanita Jularbal-Walton DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC (CNE), and Dr. Norman Absar, who helped set a festive and reflective tone for the day.
The celebration continued with a Magnet Expo, spearheaded by the Voice of Nursing (VON) under the leadership of Samantha Avecilla, MSN, RN CNL, CRRN one of our new tri-chairs, and skillfully organized by Marisa Flores, BSN, RN, SNIII, who designed the layout and logistics for the event. The expo highlighted transformative projects from units across the hospital, showcasing inspiring posters and presentations that fostered collaboration and innovation. Attendees explored the exhibits and participated in reflection exercises, answering the question: “If you were a nurse leader for a day, what would you do or change aside from staffing?” Insights from these responses captured key areas like resources, communication, and team building, providing valuable input ahead of our Nurse Excellence Survey.
Recognizing that not all staff could attend the expo, ice creams were distributed across the hospital, ensuring everyone felt included in the celebration. Toby and Nita personally connected with staff, expressing gratitude for the dedication that earned our Magnet designation.
This event exemplified how to leverage moments of triumph to drive continuous improvement. By combining celebration with meaningful data collection, we are shaping a brighter future for our teams and patients. As we reflect on this remarkable year, we remain inspired by what we have accomplished and excited for the work ahead. Here is to a year of Magnet excellence and the many milestones yet to come!