Nurses - K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital

Transformational Leadership
A Magnet Moment
“My unit initiated MAK (Medication Administration Check). MAK enables a nurse
to see all the medications that need to be given or have been given to a patient.
Medication administration is now charted in real time. A unique feature of this new
program is the scanning of patient identification labels and medications to verify
that the correct patient receives the correct medication.
Overall safety and quality of care has improved on 5 West due to the institution
of this new program. The professionalism and patience required to learn this new
method has brought out the best in our staff. Within a few days, our unit was using
MAK as if they had been using the program all along. However, the staff nurses
did not face this on their own. The dedication of our unit managers and nurse
educators made it all possible. They were indispensable resources, along with
Meridian Technical Support and Pharmacy, in helping to make a smooth transition.
Patrice Spina, R.N.
Ocean Medical Center, 5 West
Meridian strives to deliver quality and safety to its patients. This has been shown
through many efforts. The MAK program has been a huge step towards achieving
quality nursing care and nursing efficiency.”
2010 ANCC Certified Specialty Nurse Award
Richard T. Hader, Ph.D., R.N., NE-BC, FAAN, CHE, CPHQ
Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for
Meridian Health
“Dr. Hader’s remarkable contributions to nursing practice and
his commitment to nursing certification make him the perfect
choice for this award,” says ANCC Executive Director Jeanne
Floyd, R.N., Ph.D., CAE.
Rich led the transformation of nursing practice and patient care
at Meridian Health through the development and implementation
of unique programs centered on increasing successful patient
outcomes. This initiative has led to a certification rate of more
than 75% in nursing specialties throughout the organization,
robust performance improvement projects within the clinical
ladder programs, and outstanding organizational and patient
outcomes. He is an innovative, visionary leader who inspires
others to new heights of excellence.
His visionary leadership led to the establishment of the
unique interdisciplinary, patient-centered Meridian Health
Institute for Evidence-Based Care. In the two years since its
inception, the Institute has produced a research study on
medication reconciliation, over 20 interdisciplinary evidence
reviews, one multi-site performance improvement project on
ambulation, seven evidence-based Webcasts, and two
ground-breaking interdisciplinary evidence-based regional
conferences. Rich’s commitment to ANCC is evident through
his service as an ANCC Magnet Recognition Program ®
appraiser. He has served as a Magnet appraiser and team
leader since 1998 and served on more than 20 review teams.
A significant achievement led by Rich was the establishment
of The Georgian Court-Meridian Health School of Nursing,
an innovative and unique partnership between a nonprofit,
independent health system and a local Catholic university. This
BSN program, established in 2008 under his stewardship, is the
only general BSN program in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Further, he secured support for the establishment of the Ann May
Center for Nursing Excellence, which offers scholarships, career
development, mentorship, education, research, and peer support
to hundreds of nurses.
“Rich Hader is one of Meridian Health’s most valuable assets,”
says Kathleen Russell-Babin, senior manager for the Institute
for Evidence-Based Care. “His outstanding knowledge
and experience in health care administration are complemented
by his abilities to rapidly and accurately assess situations and
people to direct them on a path of success.”