State Nursing Association Recognizes SAMC as Outstanding Hospital

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Nov 17 2014 2:11 PM

DOTHAN, Ala. - Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) was named the Outstanding Healthcare Organization of 2014 by the state’s premiere nursing association.

The Alabama State Nursing Association (ASNA) recently recognized SAMC as a leader in quality, patient care and community involvement. ASNA lauded the Medical Center for providing our 953 nurses with a great and supportive work atmosphere, while encouraging them to further their educations by obtaining advanced degrees.

In addition, Teresa McLester, MSN, RN-BC, and Ann Spradley, OCNS-C were honored for their commitment and dedication to the nursing profession.

“We are very pleased that the state’s top nursing organization would recognize SAMC with this prestigious award,” said CEO Ronald S. Owen. “We are always seeking ways to provide better patient care through advanced technology or improving patient care. We recognize that nurses play an all-important role in patient satisfaction and care. I appreciate the work of all our employees, who contribute to SAMC being a great facility.”

Among the noteworthy items cited:

• SAMC’s strict adherence to its mission, vision and values and commitment to providing exemplary service.


• SAMC’s variety and comprehensiveness of services from robotics to neurospine to cancer to advanced heart treatments.


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  • The hospital’s primary care and specialty services reach into other rural communities.
  
  
  • The leadership and experience of the 13-member volunteer board and its management team.
  
  
  • Its strong medical team and 2,880-member staff which make up the largest employer in the county.
  
  
  • Its establishment of the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine to train physicians and fill future physician shortages.
  
  
  • Its specialty awards and designations from various groups, including its long-running designation as a Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama Tier 1 Provider since 2007.
  
  
  • The statewide 39 weeks healthy baby initiative which began at SAMC.
  
  
  • Being on the forefront of meeting governmental Meaningful Use guidelines, including the transition to electronic medical records.
  
  
  • The establishment of a Nursing Research Team, whose studies have yielded valuable information in areas of clinical and professional growth.
  
  
  • A clinical ladder nurse advancement program.
  
  
  • The establishment of three nursing councils to promote standardized best practices.
  
  
  • A tuition reimbursement program for nurses.
  
  
  • SAMC’s numerous health fairs, public services and other community involvement.
  
  
  • Its participation in National Nurses Week to specifically honor these caregivers.
  
  
  • An employee recognition program.
  
  
  
  

  Teresa McLester, MSN, RN-BC, director of Neurology/Neurosurgery, was honored with the Lillian Holland-Harvey Award, named for the woman who started the first baccalaureate school of nursing in the state. McLester was chosen for her professional and community involvement, her volunteerism and the assistance she has provided minority families.

  
  

  Ann Spradley, OCNS-C, Orthopedic Unit, received the Cindajo Overton Outstanding Nurse Educator in a Service Setting Award, named for a 26-year nursing instructor at Wallace Community College. She was recognized for her contributions to the education of nurses, including her teaching and mentoring skills, and her dedication to ongoing research in the nursing field.

  
  

  About SAMC:

  
  

  With 420 licensed beds, SAMC is a tertiary referral center and the largest hospital in the Tri-State region serving more than 600,000 residents. Approximately 300 physicians are on the medical staff and are supported by more than 2,800 hospital employees. The not-for-profit hospital is owned and operated by the Houston County Health Care Authority. The Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine is an academic division of SAMC.

  
  

  SAMC is a Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama Tier 1 Provider since 2007 with additional recognition in cardiac and stroke care. SAMC established the state’s first telemedicine network, created to provide faster, more effective treatment in the early stages of a stroke. SAMC is ranked in the top 10 percent in Alabama for overall hospital, medical and surgical care by CARECHEX.

  
  

   

  
  

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