Waupun Memorial Hospital Earns Pathway To Excellence Designation

Waupun Memorial Hospital (WMH) has once again achieved Pathway to Excellence® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

WMH first received this honor in 2013. At the time, WMH was the first healthcare provider in the region, and one of only two in Wisconsin to receive the prestigious designation.

The Pathway to Excellence designation identifies the elements of work environments where nurses can flourish. The designation substantiates the professional satisfaction of nurses at WMH and identifies it as one of the best places to work.

“To receive this designation for a second time is an outstanding achievement for Waupun Memorial Hospital, our nurses and the community as a whole,” says DeAnn Thurmer (pictured), WMH chief operating officer. “This honor demonstrates our continued commitment to quality care for our patients, and to our nurses – those individuals dedicated to providing the personal touch to our patients each and every day.”

The Pathway to Excellence designation is granted based on the confirmed presence of characteristics known as “The Pathway to Excellence Criteria.” 

For an organization to earn the Pathway to Excellence distinction, it must successfully undergo a thorough review process that documents foundational quality initiatives in creating a positive work environment – as defined by nurses and supported by research. These initiatives must be present in the facility’s practices, policies and culture. Nurses in the organization verify the presence of the criteria in the organization through participation in a completely confidential online survey.

As a Pathway to Excellence® designated organization, WMH is committed to nurses, to what nurses identify as important to their practice, and to valuing nurses’ contributions in the workplace. This designation confirms to the public that nurses working at WMH know their efforts are supported. The honor encourages other nurses to join their colleagues in this desirable and nurturing environment.

The Pathway to Excellence designation is perfectly suited to small and medium-sized healthcare organizations, but is attainable by all healthcare facilities around the world. 

“Our Pathways designation shows our commitment to the nursing staff at Waupun Memorial Hospital,” according to Jill Wenzel, director of WMH Inpatient Services. “It shows a mutual trust and respect that our ministry will provide the tools, resources and platform that our nurses need to perform their jobs, and in return, our nurses work to provide our patients with the highest level of quality, care and expertise that they can. 

“The voice of the nurse is extremely important when making clinically-related decisions and this designation shows that we listen to those voices,” Wenzel adds. “This designation is completed by the nurses, for the nurses, to honor the nurses. It really is all about them. Without their determination to provide the best care possible, we would not be able to achieve this designation.”

WMH, a member of Agnesian HealthCare, offers a wide array of quality inpatient and outpatient healthcare services for families throughout the Waupun and surrounding areas.

            Founded in 1951, Waupun Memorial Hospital – located at 620 W. Brown Street in Waupun – provides full family healthcare services, including comprehensive women’s health services, ambulatory infusion and anticoagulation management, cancer care, cardiopulmonary services, cardiac rehab, diabetes services, dialysis, intensive care, medical imaging (including digital mammography), nutrition counseling, obstetrics, palliative care, mobile meals, wound care and therapies.

About ANCC

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice excellence. ANCC’s internationally-renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas, recognize healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments through the Pathway to Excellence Program® and Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care™, and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC provides leading-edge information and education services and products to support its core credentialing programs.