Sherry Perkins, PhD, RN, recognized for Outstanding Leadership by the MNA

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Monica Mewshaw

We are so proud to share that AAMC’s CNO/COO, Sherry Perkins, PhD, RN, was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award during the Maryland Nurses Association 111^th Annual Convention, hosted at AAMC on October 16-17.

This award is presented to a MNA member who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the performance of activities on behalf of nursing and the MNA and who has furthered MNA’s mission and nursing’s agenda.

Here is an excerpt from Sherry’s nomination form, submitted by Carol Fickinger, RN:

“Sherry has been at our hospital since 2006 and came at a time of great change. Since her arrival, she has energized an entire workforce. She took the time to get to know her staff and how we do what we do. Donning scrubs and spending time with staff throughout the hospital, she learned what it meant to be a nurse at our facility.

“One of our goals was to be a Magnet hospital. Prior to her arrival, we kept trying to ‘teach to the test.’ Processes were designed and redesigned to be compliant with Magnet standards. It wasn’t getting us very far in our quest. Our new leader took time to get to know us. Her message to us was simple: Keep doing what you do well. Let’s refine what we have instead of rushing an application to meet a goal of a date for completion.

“Over the next few years, she guided us to revamp our entire council structure. True shared-governance was built into every unit through the hospital-wide councils. Bedside Scientist grants allow our nursing staff to develop and execute quality improvement projects that have developed in to policy and procedure changes. The Professional Nurse Council is her advisory council. Nurses know they have input.

“Over the last eight years, she has brought us to where we are now. We are not only members of NDNQI, we have met and exceeded the standards set. And last month, our hospital became the 402^nd Magnet hospital in the United States, with ANCC citing one of our best practices being Nursing Leadership. I have to say, we agree!”

Sherry, what a well-deserved honor. We are so proud to call you our Chief Nurse.