Nursing Leader Alquietta BrownNurses at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital are accountable to plan, implement and evaluate evidence based strategies, which optimize quality and safety outcomes. We are proud to see their contributions to patient care represented in a variety of venues including poster presentations, podium presentations and publications.

2020 was a tremendous year for our nurses, who courageously stepped into an uncertain space and cared for our community’s sickest patients. Our nurses stood on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigated new procedures and processes, and established new standards. Through all the challenges, our nurses’ commitment to our mission, vision and values remains steadfast. I have never been more proud of our nurses as they met this challenge with an extraordinary level of commitment, resilience, and support for our patients, their families and our community. I am privileged and humbled to serve with these incredibly talented men and women.

Alquietta Brown, PhD, MHSA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital


professional practice model graphicNurses at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital are teachers, servant leaders, facilitators, consultants, change agents, coaches, researchers, clinical experts, and motivators. As one team, we inspire and empower our nurses to perform at the highest level of professionalism and to achieve and validate skills and confidence through engagement and feedback.

We have our finger on the pulse of nursing inside and outside our organization, bringing new ideas and approaches that elevate nursing practice.

Our team orients, mentors, encourages, and guides transition to nursing practice at all levels at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, including:

  • New graduate nurses
  • Nurses changing specialty
  • New-hire proficient nurses
  • New nurse leaders
  • APRN transition to practice

Inova Nursing Aspiration

Inova nurses aim to be the most trusted nurses in the nation.

Nursing Annual Report

nursing report coverDownload the Inova 2022 Nursing Annual Report for updated statistics, innovation highlights and more from around Inova Health System. 

Advancing Excellence and Growth in Nursing

colleagues at COVID seminar
Teaching

Clinical nurse educators collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to host COVID-19 educational seminars. Staff at all levels enhanced their knowledge and understanding of ever-changing COVID practices.

Clare Davidson speaking at symposium
Presenting

Clare Davidson, BSN, RN, presented results of her EBP project examining the impact of a structured discharge teaching program for acute care rehab patients at the 2017 Inova Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Symposium. Her team’s poster was named best at the event.

Mary Jobson-Oliver with excellence award
Deserving

Mary Jobson-Oliver, BSN, RN, SCRN, received the 2021 Barbara Mancini Excellence in Neuroscience Nursing award. Mary helped IMVH achieve recertification as a Primary Stroke Center in 2020, and assisted during the height of COVID-19 by returning to bedside nursing.

group of nurses at health fair
Giving

IMVH nurses provide free health screenings in the community throughout the year. Community health fair participants, left to right: Susan Breisch, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN; Xiaoguang Li, BSN, RN, CBIS; Tadu Tsegaye, BSN, RN-BC; Lauren Schwabish, MS, CCC-SLP; Dana DiMattia, MS, CCC-SLP; Merrion Mason, BSN, RN; plus one future leader.

nurses smiling at conference event
Learning and Growth

IMVH nurses learn about best practices and creative approaches to problem-solving at the 2019 ANCC National Magnet Conference® in Orlando.

quality innovators award winners
Advancing Patient Care

IMVH nurses were runners up for the 2019 Health Quality Innovators of the Year for their work on sepsis management. Pictured: Kudirat Abdulsalam, BSN, RN, CCRN; Soha Salihi, BSN, RN; Ashley Webber, BSN, RN, CEN, TNCC, ENPC; Kathy McNamara, MSN, RN-BC, NE-BC; John Lawrence, BSN, RN, SCRN; Larisa Golding, MSN, RN; Zewdensh Bryant, MSN, MS, RN; Jenna Tomajko, BSN, RN-BC, RN.

“Dr. Eric Desman and nurses Meredith and Mary made this scary experience I am going through manageable and treated me with the upmost care.” – Inova Wound Healing Center
“IMVH is comfortable for me. I live in Maryland, but WILL cross the bridge in a minute to go to IMVH. I trust the care I receive whether it's for surgery, ER visits, labs, tests, etc.” – Surgical Service
“I was amazed at the consistent level of expertise at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. Thank you, IMVH for a wonderful, qualitative, life-saving experience. Keep up the good work!” – ER, Lab and Rehab
“Inova Mount Vernon Hospital is the best hospital I have ever been to and I was very impressed. Everyone knows their job and does it well.” – Surgical Services
“Younji really helped me through my detox. She was a great support while I was here even when she was not my nurse.” – Inpatient behavioral Health
“Nurse Jalloh was simply outstanding. She went the extra mile in making sure I was treated with respect and dignity. Florence Nightingale would be proud.” – Medical-Surgical

Making a Difference

Meet a few of the Inova Mount Vernon Hospital nurses impacting the lives of our patients and healthcare.

Ryan Bautista, BSN, RN

Ryan BautistaRyan Bautista has been an OR nurse for more than six years, working in many settings within the operating room. No matter where he works – as a circulating nurse or scrub nurse – he is a relentless advocate for patient safety. His colleagues and patients say he reviews charts like an investigator at a crime scene and is always ready to speak up for his patients. Ryan took it upon himself to organize educational programs for staff on topics such as infection control, safety and general surgery procedures so the team is always aware of the latest advances in healthcare operations. His diligence, attention to detail and advocacy earned him an Inova Nurse Excellence award in 2021 in the category of Exemplary Professional Practice.

 

Jaime Cypress, RN, CEN

Jaime CypressDuring the past year, ER charge nurse Jaime Cypress volunteered to be the Falls Champion for her unit. She partnered with other organizations to ensure the latest evidence-based practice was in place for patients, and single-handedly worked with Epic to add a “Fall Score” column to the ER tracker board to better identify patients at high risk. She also collaborated with our ER unit council and other members in the department to implement falls bundles, which include “high fall risk” door signage, bed alarms, no-slip socks, armbands and more. Evidence shows that implementation of these bundles can reduce the risk of falls within the ER. Jaime recently earned her Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) certification and is a great role model for her peers.

 

 

 

Peggy Leadbetter, BSN, RN

Peggy LeadbetterSince new nurse graduate Peggy Leadbetter joined Inova in 2019, she has proved herself to be a valued addition to the IMCU. She chairs the Patient Experience Council, and serves on the MSET Council and Wound Healing Committee. Peggy always seeks out answers to her questions and is a persistent advocate for her patients. For example, she spent three days working to ensure one patient received the thoracentesis he needed before discharge. Peggy is known for her excellent customer service skills and her name is the one most frequently mentioned in our patient satisfaction surveys. As an IMVH team member, she is truly an inspiration, staying positive during challenging times and always willing to support her peers. She recently started precepting other nurses, guiding them to excellence. In 2021, Peggy received the Rising Star Inova Nurse Excellence award.

 

Kaylin Cummings, BSN, RN

Kaylin CummingsRehab nurse Kaylin Cummings is an up and comer in her unit. She won’t tolerate inefficiencies and goes above and beyond to fix them. Recently, she took on the challenge of improving the care of LVAD equipment. The unit was losing these lifesaving devices while transporting them to and from appointments. Kaylin led a team of nurses, LVAD staff from other Inova hospitals, and transportation company employees to create a process for proper transfer procedures. She then created a poster to educate all nurses on the rehab units about these best practices. Kaylin believes in a “one team” approach to nursing. She is often seen caring for patients who are not assigned to her, taking the time to assist when her colleagues are busy with other patients. You will never hear Kaylin say, “That’s not my patient,” because at Inova compassionate patient care always comes first.