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on 4/17/2019
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St. Anthony Regional Hospital congratulates Barb Toohey, RN, BSN, MSHSA, Director of Quality Assurance, for being named one of 100 Great Iowa Nurses for 2019. Outstanding nurses who have made a meaningful contribution to their patients, colleagues and the nursing profession are recognized through the 100 Great Iowa Nurses program each year.
Toohey was selected for the honor from hundreds of nominations from across the state. Criteria includes concern for humanity, contribution to profession, and leadership and mentoring. Nurses named to the list represent many sectors of health care – working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools and offices. They come from all practice areas of nursing, including acute care, sub-acute care, school nursing, nurse leaders, academics and more.
"Barb’s constant pursuit of excellence is what prompted her nomination," said Karen Timm, Vice-President of Patient Services. "I have been blessed to work with Barb as a close colleague for the past nine years and I am comfortable seeking her advice when faced with a difficult decision. I value her dedication to creating a best practice environment that supports the ultimate goal of providing our patients with care of the highest safety and quality.”
Toohey is celebrating a 45-year nursing career. Her work experience is vast and varied, including obstetrical care, quality and risk management, school nursing, public health, hospice care, cardiac care and workman’s compensation case management. Barb started at St. Anthony in 1976 but left St. Anthony in 1996, when her husband, Tim Toohey, took a position in eastern Iowa. They returned in 2009 and she accepted the role of Director of Home Health, Hospice and Public Health.
“I am deeply humbled by this nomination,” Barb said. “I reflect upon the culmination of 45 years of nursing and all of the wonderful people who have mentored me. I owe this honor to the people who have touched my nursing life and I am truly grateful to them.”
Barb’s leadership led to her 2011 promotion as Director of Quality Assurance at St. Anthony, which she continues to this day. Barb's oversight ensures the delivery of high quality, safe health care for all patients served by St. Anthony. Among her responsibilities are provider privileging and peer review, medical staff liaison, Ethics Committee leadership, guidance of performance improvement activities, monitoring of patient experience, quality scores and safety measures, as well as regulatory standards compliance and survey readiness. Additionally, Barb provides leadership for the EMR computer analysts, utilization review and inpatient social workers.
“Being chosen as one of Iowa’s 100 Great Nurses confirms the value of Barb’s leadership at St. Anthony,” said Ed Smith, St. Anthony President and CEO. “Over the years she has navigated many of the major changes in healthcare, including regulatory rules, core measures and standards of care. She embodies a passion for the profession of nursing and an appreciation for the opportunities nursing has offered her throughout her career. Barb’s high expectations for herself and others have set the standard here at St. Anthony.”
This year’s 15th Annual 100 Great Iowa Nurses reception will be held on Sunday, May 5 at the Iowa Events Center - Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. Recipients from past years are invited back and the 2019 awardees will have family, friends and colleagues in attendance to share in their recognition of outstanding achievement.
Toohey joins eight other St. Anthony nurses who have received the prestigious award in the past: Deb Adams, Verna Tiefenthaler, Sandy Cayler, Pat Hogan, Darlene Rueter, Katie Towers, Cheri Theulen and Tammy Roetman.
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