UVA Health Prince William Medical Center Earns Third Consecutive Magnet Recognition

UVA Health Prince William Medical Center has earned its third consecutive Magnet recognition, a national designation recognizing nursing practice, patient care, and professional development.

Zan Zaidi, MD, Chief Medical Officer, UVA Health Community Hospitals and Clinics of Culpeper and Norther Virginia, Ken Bernard, MD, MBA, FACEP, Chief Clinical Officer of UVA Health Haymarket and Prince William Medical Centers, Eyad Abdel Latif, RN, MSN, MBA, NEA-BC, LSSGBC, Associate Chief Nursing Officer of UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, Steve Danziger, Chairman of the Board of UVA Health Community Hospitals and Clinics in Culpeper and Northern Virginia, Michelle Strider, MBA, RN, CPHQ, Chief Nursing Officer for UVA Health Community Hospitals and Clinics in Culpeper and Northern Virginia, Mike Barkema, MHA, Associate Vice President, Operations for UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, and Alem Mulat, Manager of Pharmacy of UVA Health Community Hospitals and Clinics of Culpeper and Norther Virginia

The Manassas hospital received the recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center following an evaluation that included a written application and an on-site review. During the visit, Magnet appraisers met with nurses, other team members, hospital leaders, and stakeholders throughout the medical center.

According to UVA Health, fewer than 10% of U.S. hospitals have received Magnet recognition. The designation lasts four years, after which hospitals must reapply to maintain the recognition.

“This recognition is a tremendous achievement and a well-earned honor for the nursing team at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center,” said Erik Shannon, chief executive officer of UVA Health community medical centers and clinics in Northern Virginia and Culpeper.

Shannon said nurses demonstrated high standards of care throughout the review process while showing their commitment to patients and families.

“Magnet recognition reflects the strength of our nursing practice and the culture of excellence our teams have built together,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of our nurses and grateful for the leadership and dedication they bring to serving our community.”

Magnet recognition is considered the highest national credential for nursing excellence and focuses on areas that include professional nursing practices, quality outcomes, leadership, collaboration, and continued improvement.

Michelle Strider, chief nursing officer for UVA Health community medical centers and clinics in Northern Virginia and Culpeper, said receiving the designation for a third consecutive time reflects the work nurses perform throughout the hospital.

“Our nurses lead with clinical expertise, compassion, and an unwavering focus on what matters most, providing safe, high-quality care for every patient who comes through our doors,” Strider said.

She also pointed to nurses’ willingness to embrace new ideas and look for ways to improve patient care and the overall patient experience.

As part of its Magnet review, Prince William Medical Center was recognized for supporting nurses who volunteer in community health programs connected to Healthy People 2030 goals.

One example involved Teresa Baltuano-Post, BSN, RN, IBCLC, RNC-MNN, a clinical nurse in the Mother Baby Unit.

Baltuano-Post, along with her team and nursing leadership, supports the hospital’s Educational Baby Shower, which provides health education and resources to community families.

Patient safety outcomes were another area highlighted during the recognition process.

According to UVA Health, Prince William Medical Center performed better than national benchmarks and comparison groups for most of the eight quarters across all inpatient units on several patient safety measures.

Those areas included hospital-acquired pressure injuries of Stage 2 and above, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, surgical errors and patient burns.

UVA Health said those results reflect the hospital’s focus on patient safety and evidence-based nursing practices.

“This achievement represents the dedication of an entire team and the many ways our nurses make a difference every day,” Strider said.

She said nurses contribute throughout the organization, from direct patient care at the bedside to leadership positions.

“Magnet recognition is a moment to celebrate what we have accomplished together, while also inspiring us to continue raising the bar for our patients, our teams and the community we are privileged to serve,” she said.

The Magnet program also emphasizes opportunities for nurses to advance professionally and participate in decisions affecting patient care.

Strider said the framework encourages nurses and hospital leaders to continue looking for improvements rather than viewing the recognition as an endpoint.

“Our nurses are committed to a culture of excellence and evidence-based standards for a highly professional nursing practice environment,” she said. “Magnet provides a framework for continuing to learn, innovate, and reach even higher, for our team, our patients, and the communities we serve.”

Prince William Medical Center is part of UVA Health’s larger network serving Northern Virginia and other parts of the Commonwealth.

UVA Health includes four hospitals in Charlottesville, Culpeper, and Northern Virginia, along with nearly 300 clinics. The health system reports more than 1,000 inpatient beds, approximately 40,000 inpatient stays annually, and more than 1 million outpatient encounters each year.

The system also includes more than 1,000 physicians and provides specialty care through clinical affiliations, partnerships, and virtual care programs.

For Prince William Medical Center, the latest Magnet designation continues a recognition the hospital has earned three consecutive times, requiring it to undergo the application and evaluation process again to maintain the designation.