Stephanie Johnson is described by colleagues as a collaborative leader who engages her staff to study data, recognize barriers and seek out creative solutions. As a patient care manager at Unity Hospital, Johnson works to improve quality outcomes, patient experience and employee engagement scores.

Stephanie Johnson, RN Patient care manager at Unity Hospital

Johnson also played an instrumental part in the recent creation of a new Acute Care for the Elderly Unit. To improve patient responsiveness, Johnson and her staff implemented a process to answer call lights at the bedside. As a result, patient responsiveness scores in the ACE Unit are now in the 90th percentile. In addition to opening the ACE Unit, Johnson led the Modified Early Warning System pilot on the 2W Medical Oncology Unit to improve early patient assessment and intervention. Mary Lou Schmidtke, patient care director, describes Johnson as a fearless, tireless leader who is quick to recognize needs. In addition to managing two units, Johnson stepped up as the interim patient care manager for the Intensive Critical Care, Critical Resource Nurse, and Wound, Ostomy and Continence departments, going above and beyond to address and improve patient care issues. She now serves as a mentor to the new patient care manager and continues to support patients and staff in the departments during the transition. In the words of Marcia Hauck, patient care director, “She has the qualities and skills of a true leader. There isn’t anything she won’t take on or try if it’s in the best interest of her patients and staff.”