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