Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is a very fortunate organization. They not only have one nurse as a part of their design team efforts … but TWO highly talented and experienced nurses! NIHD members Tara and Mary have collectively been a part of the NGHS system for over 75 years! Like many others in NIHD, their current roles never existed, until through their involvement in projects and operational improvements. Tara remembers, “There was a need for a nurse executive to partner with strategy/facilities to provide clinical expertise and the team asked if I would be interested.” Just like that, Leadership saw the impact the role had to the project and the rest is history.
In her role, Tara has a direct line of communication to Senior Leadership in the organization.
“Often times the voice of the clinician is not requested early enough in project development to have an impact. My role ensures a seat at the table during early planning as throughout project development. My role is also unique in that I have a direct line to senior leadership to escalate concerns if needed.”
Having this direct reporting allows her to bring the voice of the clinician to the highest level of engagement withing NGHS. “There are many venues where clinician input is needed”, Jernigan said. “Hemodynamic monitor selection, electronic whiteboard, placement of fixed equipment in the patient room, etc.”, and collaborating with Mary Martin is precisely how the two tackle those needs.
“In my role, I work closely with our Chief Nurse Executive as well as other nursing and clinical leaders to collaborate and develop the organization’s strategy and road map for technologies that impact patient care and services.”
Being one of the first nursing executives in informatics in the State of Georgia, Martin has served in her role since 2012 when it was established. Also serving as the Executive Sponsor for the NGHS ‘Nursing Innovation and Informatics Council’, Mary engages “a team of front-line nurses to provide input and feedback on potential enhancements and changes in technologies”, which ultimately impacts the built environment and design.
As lifelong contributors to the profession of nursing, and in bringing the voice of the clinician to projects, both Tara and Mary are excited to be a part of NIHD! “Being able to network and be a part of an organization that connects with our roles is amazing!”
Be sure to connect with Tara and Mary in the NIHD Member Forum, and hopefully they will be joining us in New Orleans this year for HCD – which would be their first HCD event for both of them!
Tara Jernigan
MSN, CNML, NE-BC
How long have you worked for NGHS? 31 years.
How did your role come to existence? The system has several expansion projects underway both hospital and community based. I have been fortunate to be included in expansion projects in the past including a new hospital build in an operational capacity. There was a need for a nurse executive to partner with strategy/facilities to provide clinical expertise and the team asked if I would be interested.
How have you been able to bring the voice of the clinician to the health system? There are several venues where clinician input is needed. Hemodynamic monitor selection, electronic whiteboard, placement of fixed equipment in the patient room, etc. Additionally, I have a background in patient experience and have been able to lend a voice to represent this population as well.
Why do you feel your role is needed? Often times the voice of the clinician is not requested early enough in project development to have an impact. My role ensures a seat at the table during early planning as throughout project development. My role is also unique in that I have a direct line to senior leadership to escalate concerns if needed.
Why did you join NIHD? I have maintained membership in professional organizations throughout my nursing career. When I took my current role, I began looking for an organization to learn from and be a part of to support networking. Thankfully Kevin was able to share information about this organization!
Mary Martin
DNP, MBA, RN, CENP, CPHIMS
How long have you worked for NGHS? 45 years.
How did your role come to existence? The role was established in 2012. Up until that time had had served as the Director of Clinical Informatics. Our organization was one of the first in Georgia to establish an executive nurse role in Informatics.
How have you been able to bring the voice of the clinician to the health system? Our Informatics Governance structure has provided a forum for user input. I am also the Executive Sponsor of our Nursing Innovation and Informatics Council and utilize that team of front-line nurses to provide input and feedback on potential enhancements and changes in technologies.
Why do you feel your role is needed? In my role I work closely with our Chief Nurse Executive as well as other nursing and clinical leaders to collaborate and develop the organization’s strategy and road map for technologies that impact patient care and services. I also work closely with our Chief Medical Informatics Officer as we work to optimize and improve our user’s experiences with the EHR and other systems.
Why did you join NIHD? Throughout my career here at NGHS I have been involved with the majority of major facility developments and acquisitions. I have also played a key role in major system implementations in technology. Through the years I have learned and gained insights to the impact of change and the importance of operational readiness plans.