Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital has been recognized as a Magnet Facility^® by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – the highest honor internationally for nursing excellence and recognition of its outstanding safety and innovative care for patients.

The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. This also includes interprofessional teams, as well.

Magnet facilities meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence and are recognized because they have lower mortality rates, shorter lengths of stay, and increased patient and staff satisfaction. 

Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital was also recognized for having high nurse engagement and inpatient quality scores.

"Achieving Magnet Designation requires vision and dedication,” said Natalie Ashby, president of Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital.  “I am thrilled our nurses at St. George Regional Hospital have earned this prestigious designation. Their hard work and compassion are truly commendable, and I am profoundly grateful for the exceptional care they provide to our community every day."

The Magnet designation is important for the caregivers as for nurses. Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the assurance of the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.

“We are incredibly proud that Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital has earned Magnet Designation – an honor that reflects the highest standards of clinical excellence, caregiver engagement, and compassionate care,” said Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, chief nursing executive for Intermountain Health. “This important recognition is a testament to the extraordinary work our nurses do every day to care for our patients and communities. We are deeply grateful for their dedication, skill, and the exceptional outcomes they help make possible.”

Approximately 10 percent of the hospitals globally achieve the designation. This is the third hospital in Utah to receive Magnet Designation, the second Intermountain hospital after Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital, and the seventh overall Intermountain Hospital.

"Magnet Recognition reflects the exceptional standards and practices upheld by our nursing team,” said Reuben Evans, chief nursing officer for Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “It is a proud moment for us, as it highlights the compassionate and innovative care our nurses deliver every day. We are honored to be part of this distinguished group of healthcare providers."

The Magnet Recognition Program^® was developed by the American Academy of Nursing to highlight hospitals that could attract and retain top nursing professionals.

Magnet facilities demonstrate excellence in five areas:

• Transformational Leadership
• Structural Empowerment
• Exemplary Professional Practice
• New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements
• Empirical Outcomes

The ANCC report noted that St. George Regional Hospital’s caregivers outperformed in several areas, including low urinary tract infections, blood stream infections, low surgical errors, among others.

Learn more about Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital at intermountainhealth.org. 

Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is the recipient of the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guideline’s Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its work to ensure that stroke patients in Southern Utah receive the most appropriate treatment, according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.  

Because of these efforts, Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is helping to save lives and reduce disability for stroke patients, according to the AHA. 

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. 

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

Get With the Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines. 

 “Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Tyler Owens, MD, stroke medical director at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “These national guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work daily, which studies show can help patients recover better. Our goal is to ensure people in Southern Utah who experience a stroke can experience longer, healthier lives.” 

 Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their hospital or health system has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With the Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home. 

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, MD, volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With the Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates, which is a win for health care systems, families, and communities.”

Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital also received the AHA’s Target: Stroke Elite Plus award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.

Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital is also the recipient of the the AHA’sTarget: Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy award by meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.

Additionally, Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital received the AHA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. This award recognizes hospitals who work to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

“Patients who experience a cerebrovascular event require fast, efficient, and detail-oriented care. It takes tireless work and attention to create a system of care that provides each patient the best outcome possible,” said Dr. Owens. “It’s a responsibility that we hold with pride. Being recognized as an elite stroke center comes as no easy feat. We’re grateful to our unique community of caretakers, coordinators, and leaders who made this achievement possible. We aim to continue to grow as a team and earn this award again next year.”

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The Chartis Center for Rural Health released its 2024 list for Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals across the country, Intermountain Garfield Hospital and Intermountain Heber Valley Hospital were both recognized. 

The annual list by Chartis uses a variety of data to assess the strength of critical access hospitals including safety, quality, clinical outcomes, cost, and patient perspective among other factors. This is the second year in a row that Heber Valley Hospital was selected as top critical access hospital nationally. 

“We appreciate this recognition of the clinical excellence and compassionate care that our caregivers and physicians provide to the Heber Valley,” said Si Hutt, president of Heber Valley Hospital. “Being part of the Intermountain Health system adds tremendous value to our team and our community.” 

Critical Access Hospital is a designation given by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which is designed to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities. 

Intermountain has put a major focus on care at rural hospitals and expanded access to quality care through investment in local facilities and a large network of specialists available through telehealth to improve a patient’s ability to get the care they need closer to home. 

To see the Chartis full list of Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals, click here. 
 

Intermountain Health’s Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz is one of seven honorees who will be recognized at the highly anticipated 2023 Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada annual fundraising gala Dessert Before Dinner. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas.

An internal medicine physician, Dr. Cruz is the first Filipina-American doctor chosen by Mattel as one of their “Barbie Role Models” and has a limited-edition Barbie replicated after her.

“I am truly honored to be one of seven people recognized by the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada in this way,” said Cruz. “I know how important it is to have positive role models in life and have made it my mission to empower the next generation.”

Each honoree receives a Girl Scout badge, which are traditionally earned by Girl Scouts after exploring an interest and learning a skill toward that interest. Each badge a Girl Scout collects toward that interest makes them subject matter experts, which aims to inspire them to further explore that topic. Dr. Cruz is receiving the badge for STEAM, an abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.

“Dessert Before Dinner provides us with an incredible opportunity to recognize individuals who have truly paved the way in our community,” said Kimberly Trueba, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada.

“We are proud to honor Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz for her exceptional achievements and commitment to creating a better future for our girls in Southern Nevada and girls everywhere.”

The honorees for this year’s gala and the badges they are receiving:

Agent of Change: Nikki Fargas – Las Vegas Aces, President

Take Action: Astrid Silva – Clark County School District, UNIFY Director

Ambassador of the Arts: Crystal Robinson-Wesley – Palms Casino Resort, Vice President of Entertainment and Activations

Power of Community: Wendy Hornbuckle – Philanthropist

STEAM: Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz – Intermountain Health, Internal Medicine Physician

Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout: John Mowbray and Jack Hanifan – Representing The Frias Legacy

Dessert Before Dinner brings well-deserved recognition to distinguishable women in Southern Nevada who have made significant trailblazing strides toward the advancement of women and girls in an array of fields including sports, philanthropy, technology, entertainment, medicine, and education.

“Throughout her career, Dr. Cruz has been respected widely as a role model and mentor, and this recognition further solidifies her impact on this and future generations,” said Dr. Cara Camiolo, Region Chief Medical Officer for Intermountain Health. “We are thrilled for Dr. Cruz to receive this honor and proud that she cares for patients at Intermountain Health.”

The annual fundraising gala directly impacts local Girl Scouts who depend upon philanthropic dollars to experience personal development and wellness skills, experiences such as STEAM and camp, entrepreneurship opportunities, and life skills including leadership and advocacy. The Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada raises funds through Dessert Before Dinner gala ticket sales, program advertisements, sponsorships, and the proceeds from a silent and live auction.

For more information on purchasing tickets or program advertisements for Dessert Before Dinner, please visit www.dessertbeforedinner.org.

Chard Bubb, MD, lead physician for Endocrinology for Intermountain Health in Nevada, and Cardiologist Pamela Ivey, MD, are among the 2023 Top Doctors award winners announced in the magazine released today.

Doctors were nominated via peer recommendations of Southern Nevada’s best health care providers.

“Dr. Pamela Ivey and Dr. Chard Bubb are both so deserving of this honor,” said Dr. Cara Camiolo, Region Chief Medical Officer at Intermountain Health. “Dr. Ivey and Dr. Bubb have dedicated their lives to helping their patients with compassionate, quality care. For them to be selected be their peers is a meaningful testament to their commitment to this community.”

Dr. Ivey, who has practiced medicine for more than 26 years, cares for patients at Intermountain Health Green Valley Cardiology Clinic located at 2865 Siena Heights Drive, Suite 331, in Henderson.

“I am humbled at the recognition,” said Dr. Pamela Ivey, Cardiologist at Intermountain Health. “I strive to do the best for my patients with each interaction, taking the time to talk with them about their medical problems and also about their lives – and encouraging them to be their own health advocate. I love helping them make better lifestyle choices related to their heart disease.”

Dr. Bubb, lead physician for Endocrinology and medical director for Medical Specialties for Intermountain Health in Nevada, has practiced medicine for more than 18 years. He cares for patients at the Intermountain Health Endocrinology Clinic located at 2880 North Tenaya Way #320 in Las Vegas.

“This award is important for Intermountain Health because it recognizes us as an institution of the best providers who deliver the highest quality of care,” said Dr. Bubb. “Our patients will feel confident that they made the right decision to seek care from Intermountain Health, as the medical community recognizes providers for their clinical excellence. I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my peers for the quality of care that I provide to the patients in our community.”

Vegas Inc’s Health Care Quarterly publication covers the latest treatments, industry news, and changes to existing health care laws and regulations. It also contains contributions from medical industry experts. The May 25 issue highlights the Top Doctors in Southern Nevada and is one of their most popular issues.

Both Dr. Ivey and Dr. Bubb are no strangers to the Vegas Inc Top Doctors list, having been named to the list in the past. Dr. Pamela Ivey was named a Top Doc in 2014 and Dr. Chard Bubb was named a Top Doc in 2021.

For more information about Intermountain Health, please visit www.intermountainnv.org.