Patients get world-class healthcare at not just one but numerous Carle Health hospitals and physician group offices throughout central Illinois.
It’s all a part of the system’s commitment to nursing and organizational excellence. That commitment shined in 2024.
In August, Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Carle Physician Group offices throughout East Central Illinois and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center in Hoopeston earned Magnet with Distinction Recognition® from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. It was the fourth, four-year Magnet recognition for Carle Foundation Hospital, the third for Carle Physician Group and the first for Carle Hoopeston.
In May, Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria achieved its fifth, four-year Magnet recognition, Carle Health Proctor Hospital in Peoria earned its second Magnet designation and Carle Health Pekin Hospital was conferred its first Magnet designation.
Meanwhile, Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal is working on its third Magnet designation, with Carle Eureka Hospital included for the first time, with documentation to be submitted in 2025.
Healthcare centers attain Magnet designation when they prove – through documentation and during unscripted site visits by appraisers – that they support and empower nurses and interdisciplinary teams to create better health outcomes for patients.
Board members and leaders react to Magnet designations
“Carle Health strives to always be in the top decile of healthcare delivery,” Paul Tucker, Carle Health Board of Trustees chairman, said. The Magnet Recognition Program is an important tool to measure how Carle Health is performing toward that goal. Magnet accreditations show that Carle Health is succeeding, he said.
“The Magnet recognitions tell the people of Central Illinois that Carle Health delivers world-class care right here in our backyard,” Mark Czys, Carle Health Board of Trustees vice chairman, said.
Ron Greene, Carle Health Central Region Board chair, said “Carle Health is a strong, integrated system and Magnet speaks to our commitment to nursing professional practice, organizational excellence, team member engagement, and ultimately, the best patient outcomes.”
“Receiving the Magnet accreditations shows how nursing excellence is engrained and aligned throughout the Carle Health system,” Meredith Mills, Carle Health East Region Board chair, said. “No matter where you go in the Carle Health system, your care will be top notch. Carle has one of the most outstanding nursing teams in the country, and if you require care from Carle, you will receive the best care available anywhere. It should give our communities great comfort in knowing the care they receive at Carle is the best of the best!”
“Magnet is an important demonstration to our communities that we value high-quality patient care,” Elizabeth Angelo, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Carle Health senior vice president and chief nursing officer, said. “Health centers applying for Magnet status must outperform national benchmarks in a variety of metrics. We’re proud of our team’s terrific work represented throughout our Magnet journey. Many of our locations have received Magnet designations multiple times. That’s truly impressive because the expectation is continuous improvement with each redesignation.”
Magnet journey by design
All of this is by design.
“When Magnet began, we recognized how important Magnet recognition would be to the backbone of patient care, which is nursing,” James Leonard, MD, Carle Health president and CEO, said. “We believed that it would create a halo effect for recruiting.”
With each Magnet application, the bar is raised. That means Magnet redesignation signifies care at Carle Health continues to improve, Dr. Leonard said.
“This is the highest level of nursing,” Dr. Leonard said. “It shows we are not just leading-edge; we are forward-looking. This demonstrates not only nursing’s commitment to excellence but the commitment to excellence of system leadership and the board of directors. Some institutions fall behind. Not Carle Health. I am in awe of the nurses who have taken our vision to be in the upper deciles of care and have made it happen.”
“I could not be prouder of our nurses,” Czys said.
Tucker said, “Thank you for your commitment to our patients, fellow medical professionals and Carle Health.”
Dr. Leonard also thanked team members who support nurses. “Four thousand nurses demonstrating superior international outcomes couldn’t happen if we fell short in other areas,” he said.
Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physician Group, Carle Hoopeston earn Magnet with Distinction
Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physician Group and Carle Hoopeston received the nation’s seventh Magnet with Distinction Recognition. Since then, four more healthcare centers have received Magnet with Distinction nationwide.
Only 10% of healthcare organizations nationwide are Magnet-designated. Less than 3% have earned four or more designations. Magnet with Distinction means that the 11 organizations have exceeded scoring thresholds required to earn Magnet recognition.
“What an incredible honor and recognition for our talented and hardworking nursing team,” Mills said. “I am so proud of the entire group.”
“Nurses at Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physician Group and Carle Hoopeston utilize best practices to advance the health and well-being of patients,” Jaymie Green, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer, Carle Health East Region, said. “For our team members, Magnet designation is a validation of the hard work and commitment to the communities we serve.”
Carle Greater Peoria Service Area: 20 years of Magnet culture
At Carle Health Methodist, “The Magnet redesignation means 20 years of Magnet culture,” Jamie Stevenson, Carle Health West Region Board chair, said. “It’s very difficult to be successful over a 20-year period. We’re super-proud of that.”
Carle Health Pekin is newly accredited.
“In Pekin, you can just feel how much it means to the nurses, the staff and the community,” Stevenson said.
Jill Dodaro, MSN, MBA, Greater Peoria Service Area chief nursing officer and vice president, said the designation means “our team is truly unstoppable, and we provide world-class nursing care. Achieving this designation showcases that nursing units exceed national healthcare benchmarks in patient satisfaction, safety, and nurse engagement.”
Carle BroMenn working on third designation, joined for the first time by Carle Eureka
At Carle BroMenn and Carle Eureka, Debora May-Rickard, MHA, BSN, Carle Health Central Region Magnet coordinator, is working on the Magnet document, which will be submitted in October 2025, with an expected site visit by Magnet appraisers early in 2026.
“Magnet is the gold standard for clinical excellence, which means process improvement, patient satisfaction, nursing engagement, quality patient outcomes, research, innovation and validating evidence-based practices,” May-Rickard said. “Carle Health has engrained into the culture of nursing a true understanding of the international recognition of Magnet and the importance of Magnet standards.”
“As a board, we recognize the value of Magnet and the diligent work, tremendous amount of thought and care that goes into working toward our third designation,” Greene said. “We are proud to support our talented nurses and very thankful for their professional commitment to nursing practice and the exceptional care they provide to our patients, families and broader community.”
Magnet success results in better care for patients and communities
“For patients, Magnet recognition means peace of mind and a feeling of safety, knowing that the care they will receive is the highest available,” Stevenson said.
Greene said “I believe the experience at Carle is uniquely different and set apart by the strong culture, talented physicians, nurses and staff so dedicated to caring for our communities.”
For potential employees, Magnet recognition means “They can be part of a team that is always striving to achieve excellence,” Czys said.
“If you’re passionate about patient care and want to work with a fantastic team, come join us!” Angelo said. “Whether you’re a new graduate nurse or highly experienced, we’re committed to making this the best place you’ll ever work.”
“Our commitment to Magnet is embedded in our culture, where everyone works together as a team in a collaborative environment, focusing on our patients,” Greene said. “This leads to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover and better patient outcomes.”
Dr. Leonard said, “In healthcare, at the end of the day, you feel good. At the end of your career, you realize you made a difference.”
The 2024 Magnet designations signify the Carle growth from a community hospital to a healthcare system with hospitals, clinics and physicians’ offices in central and southern Illinois, Dr. Leonard said.
“Magnet recognition says to our communities, ‘We’re serious about this. We’re in it for the long haul. We care about you.’”
It’s all a part of the system’s commitment to nursing and organizational excellence. That commitment shined in 2024.
In August, Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Carle Physician Group offices throughout East Central Illinois and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center in Hoopeston earned Magnet with Distinction Recognition® from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. It was the fourth, four-year Magnet recognition for Carle Foundation Hospital, the third for Carle Physician Group and the first for Carle Hoopeston.
In May, Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria achieved its fifth, four-year Magnet recognition, Carle Health Proctor Hospital in Peoria earned its second Magnet designation and Carle Health Pekin Hospital was conferred its first Magnet designation.
Meanwhile, Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal is working on its third Magnet designation, with Carle Eureka Hospital included for the first time, with documentation to be submitted in 2025.
Healthcare centers attain Magnet designation when they prove – through documentation and during unscripted site visits by appraisers – that they support and empower nurses and interdisciplinary teams to create better health outcomes for patients.
Board members and leaders react to Magnet designations
“Carle Health strives to always be in the top decile of healthcare delivery,” Paul Tucker, Carle Health Board of Trustees chairman, said. The Magnet Recognition Program is an important tool to measure how Carle Health is performing toward that goal. Magnet accreditations show that Carle Health is succeeding, he said.
“The Magnet recognitions tell the people of Central Illinois that Carle Health delivers world-class care right here in our backyard,” Mark Czys, Carle Health Board of Trustees vice chairman, said.
Ron Greene, Carle Health Central Region Board chair, said “Carle Health is a strong, integrated system and Magnet speaks to our commitment to nursing professional practice, organizational excellence, team member engagement, and ultimately, the best patient outcomes.”
“Receiving the Magnet accreditations shows how nursing excellence is engrained and aligned throughout the Carle Health system,” Meredith Mills, Carle Health East Region Board chair, said. “No matter where you go in the Carle Health system, your care will be top notch. Carle has one of the most outstanding nursing teams in the country, and if you require care from Carle, you will receive the best care available anywhere. It should give our communities great comfort in knowing the care they receive at Carle is the best of the best!”
“Magnet is an important demonstration to our communities that we value high-quality patient care,” Elizabeth Angelo, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Carle Health senior vice president and chief nursing officer, said. “Health centers applying for Magnet status must outperform national benchmarks in a variety of metrics. We’re proud of our team’s terrific work represented throughout our Magnet journey. Many of our locations have received Magnet designations multiple times. That’s truly impressive because the expectation is continuous improvement with each redesignation.”
Magnet journey by design
All of this is by design.
“When Magnet began, we recognized how important Magnet recognition would be to the backbone of patient care, which is nursing,” James Leonard, MD, Carle Health president and CEO, said. “We believed that it would create a halo effect for recruiting.”
With each Magnet application, the bar is raised. That means Magnet redesignation signifies care at Carle Health continues to improve, Dr. Leonard said.
“This is the highest level of nursing,” Dr. Leonard said. “It shows we are not just leading-edge; we are forward-looking. This demonstrates not only nursing’s commitment to excellence but the commitment to excellence of system leadership and the board of directors. Some institutions fall behind. Not Carle Health. I am in awe of the nurses who have taken our vision to be in the upper deciles of care and have made it happen.”
“I could not be prouder of our nurses,” Czys said.
Tucker said, “Thank you for your commitment to our patients, fellow medical professionals and Carle Health.”
Dr. Leonard also thanked team members who support nurses. “Four thousand nurses demonstrating superior international outcomes couldn’t happen if we fell short in other areas,” he said.
Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physician Group, Carle Hoopeston earn Magnet with Distinction
Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physician Group and Carle Hoopeston received the nation’s seventh Magnet with Distinction Recognition. Since then, four more healthcare centers have received Magnet with Distinction nationwide.
Only 10% of healthcare organizations nationwide are Magnet-designated. Less than 3% have earned four or more designations. Magnet with Distinction means that the 11 organizations have exceeded scoring thresholds required to earn Magnet recognition.
“What an incredible honor and recognition for our talented and hardworking nursing team,” Mills said. “I am so proud of the entire group.”
“Nurses at Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physician Group and Carle Hoopeston utilize best practices to advance the health and well-being of patients,” Jaymie Green, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer, Carle Health East Region, said. “For our team members, Magnet designation is a validation of the hard work and commitment to the communities we serve.”
Carle Greater Peoria Service Area: 20 years of Magnet culture
At Carle Health Methodist, “The Magnet redesignation means 20 years of Magnet culture,” Jamie Stevenson, Carle Health West Region Board chair, said. “It’s very difficult to be successful over a 20-year period. We’re super-proud of that.”
Carle Health Pekin is newly accredited.
“In Pekin, you can just feel how much it means to the nurses, the staff and the community,” Stevenson said.
Jill Dodaro, MSN, MBA, Greater Peoria Service Area chief nursing officer and vice president, said the designation means “our team is truly unstoppable, and we provide world-class nursing care. Achieving this designation showcases that nursing units exceed national healthcare benchmarks in patient satisfaction, safety, and nurse engagement.”
Carle BroMenn working on third designation, joined for the first time by Carle Eureka
At Carle BroMenn and Carle Eureka, Debora May-Rickard, MHA, BSN, Carle Health Central Region Magnet coordinator, is working on the Magnet document, which will be submitted in October 2025, with an expected site visit by Magnet appraisers early in 2026.
“Magnet is the gold standard for clinical excellence, which means process improvement, patient satisfaction, nursing engagement, quality patient outcomes, research, innovation and validating evidence-based practices,” May-Rickard said. “Carle Health has engrained into the culture of nursing a true understanding of the international recognition of Magnet and the importance of Magnet standards.”
“As a board, we recognize the value of Magnet and the diligent work, tremendous amount of thought and care that goes into working toward our third designation,” Greene said. “We are proud to support our talented nurses and very thankful for their professional commitment to nursing practice and the exceptional care they provide to our patients, families and broader community.”
Magnet success results in better care for patients and communities
“For patients, Magnet recognition means peace of mind and a feeling of safety, knowing that the care they will receive is the highest available,” Stevenson said.
Greene said “I believe the experience at Carle is uniquely different and set apart by the strong culture, talented physicians, nurses and staff so dedicated to caring for our communities.”
For potential employees, Magnet recognition means “They can be part of a team that is always striving to achieve excellence,” Czys said.
“If you’re passionate about patient care and want to work with a fantastic team, come join us!” Angelo said. “Whether you’re a new graduate nurse or highly experienced, we’re committed to making this the best place you’ll ever work.”
“Our commitment to Magnet is embedded in our culture, where everyone works together as a team in a collaborative environment, focusing on our patients,” Greene said. “This leads to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover and better patient outcomes.”
Dr. Leonard said, “In healthcare, at the end of the day, you feel good. At the end of your career, you realize you made a difference.”
The 2024 Magnet designations signify the Carle growth from a community hospital to a healthcare system with hospitals, clinics and physicians’ offices in central and southern Illinois, Dr. Leonard said.
“Magnet recognition says to our communities, ‘We’re serious about this. We’re in it for the long haul. We care about you.’”
Categories: Culture of Quality
Tags: Bloomington-Normal, board, Champaign-Urbana, Eureka, Hoopeston, Magnet, nursing, Peoria