Nassawadox, VA—Riverside Health System is pleased to announce the appointment of Patty MacDougall, DNP, RNC as the new Nurse Executive for Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital.
MacDougall comes to Riverside from the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, where she was Director of Accreditation and Patient Safety as well as Site Administrator. She previously worked as manager of the Mother-Baby unit at Sentara NoRiverside Foundationolk General Hospital in NoRiverside Foundationolk, Va.
MacDougall said her attraction to working in the Riverside Health System included being a part of the Riverside Care Difference which puts patients at the center of a collaborative health care experience. It's a significant focus of the organization, and not all hospitals have gotten to that point, she said.
In addition, the team members she met during her interviews and those she has gotten to know since have left a lasting impression. "It was the team members," MacDougall said. "They were knowledgeable and immediately welcoming."
Her education background includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., a Master of Science in Nursing from Old Dominion University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Old Dominion University. MacDougall also has an Associate's Degree in Social Services and in General Studies from Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Va.
MacDougall said it was clear in her introduction to Riverside that employees are passionate about the Riverside Care Difference. "They are living it," she said. "It's what puts Riverside ahead of the rest of the health care pack."
Riverside "really empowers the staff and allows them to take ownership of the care they are providing to their patients," MacDougall said. "That makes the staff happier and makes the patients happier."
As Nurse Executive, MacDougall said she is excited to not only lead the nursing staff but also to focus on the patient experience. "I regularly visit the patients and introduce myself. It's important to me that our patients know how committed we are to helping them to heal. If anything is standing in the way of the patient's needs, it is my job to help our team find a solution," she said. But there's one thing in particular about her new job she is eager to start on. "My favorite part of my job is the mentoring of the staff," MacDougall said. "So many of them are already pursuing certification and advanced degrees. The enthusiasm is contagious. I love interacting with them." "Patty's enthusiasm and leadership experience will be a great addition to our already impressive nursing team. Her focus is on ensuring that the very best resources –including team members, education, processes and equipment –are at the patient's bedside. Our patients deserve nothing less," said John Peterman, Administrator at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital. MacDougall is married and has two children who live in the Hampton Roads region. Among the places she has lived are on the West Coast, including San Francisco, Calif., and in Spain while her husband served in the U.S. Navy.