Spectrum Health West Michigan, Ludington Hospital

Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Celebrates Certified Nurses

March 18, 2021

 

Five of Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital’s 39 certified nurses. From left, Meleah Mariani, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer; Danielle Warner, RNC-OB, C-EFM, OB nurse manager; Kerry Mendians, OCN, oncology certified nurse; Michelle Tiles, OCN, oncology certified nurse; Susan Boldt, CRRN, regional charge nurse; and Kay Kessel, OCN, oncology certified nurse navigator.

Spectrum Health will recognize the unique contributions of its certified nurses on Certified Nurses Day, March 19, 2021. The day is an annual worldwide event dedicated to celebrating certification as a means to ensure high standards of patient care and safety. Thirty-nine nurses at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital have nursing specialty certification, including:

  • Tracey Barnett, C-EFM
  • Madeline Beld, FNP
  • Marlene Berens, FNP
  • Susan Boldt, CRRN
  • Dana Cook, CPPS
  • Amber Coolman, WHNP
  • Rachel Cracraft, C-EFM
  • Jorel Dickinson-Hendershot, CRNA
  • Renita Diehlman, FNP
  • Keri Foster, FNP
  • Kevin Franklin, CFRN
  • Dawn Gebhart, ENP
  • Michelle Gentry, FNP
  • Laura Gordon, CEN, CPEN
  • Valarie Gustafson, C-EFM
  • Elizabeth Hanna, FNP
  • Bethany Hartrum, FNP
  • Amber Jaeb, C-EFM
  • Virginia Jesburg, CPAN
  • Kay Kessel OCN
  • Renae Kieda, C-EFM
  • Brian Lindenborn, CRNA
  • Meleah Mariani, NEA-BC
  • Angela Martinez, C-EFM
  • Kerry Mendians, OCN
  • Heidi Moloney, RNC-OB
  • Jacqueline Mucinski, CNOR
  • Melissa Murray, CRNA
  • Gene Olsen, FNP
  • Sarah Ricci, CRNA
  • Erin Ross, PNP-PC
  • David Shamel, CRNA
  • Jennifer Sikon, OCN
  • Jennifer Strahan, FNP
  • Michelle Tiles, OCN
  • Erica Tucker, C-EFM
  • Rebecca Tuka, C-EFM
  • Jonnie Vanderhoef, CRNA
  • Danielle Warner, RNC-OB, C-EFM

“Nursing certification is very important to our profession and to our practice,” said Meleah Mariani, MSN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital.

“The term “certification” can be confusing. As health care professionals, we are required to complete various standardized competency-based certificate programs such as Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and others. Nursing specialty certification is different.

“The certified nurses at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, all 39 of them, had to meet minimum requirements for education and experience to be eligible for their credentials. They are required to prepare for and pass an evidence-based, peer reviewed, specialty exam administered at an approved testing facility. Most nurses spend three to six months preparing for their exam. Once they pass the exam, they have the privilege of adding the certification credentials to their name. These credentials recognize the nurse has specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in their specialty practice area.

“Nursing specialty certification is not a “once and done” credential. Certified nurses are continuous learners. To maintain certification, these nurses must complete a minimum number of contact hours in their specialty beyond what the state licensing board requires.”

Certification benefits patients, validating that the nurses caring for them have demonstrated experience, knowledge and skills in the complex specialties of nursing care. Studies indicate a positive correlation between nursing specialty certification and improved clinical outcomes, such as fewer falls and less infections, for patients.

According to data collected by the American Board of Nursing Specialties in 2020, more than 1,013,362 nurses in the United States and Canada hold certifications. These certifications were granted by 44 certifying organizations and represent 148 different credentials.

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Patricia Ezdebski
Marketing and Public Relations
Office: 231.845.2350
Mobile: 231.301.4864
Email: patricia.ezdebski@corewellhealth.org