On Oct. 18, 2018, at 11:30 a.m., the Magnet Commission for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) called Beth Houlahan, DNP, RN, CENP, UW Health Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, who was anxiously waiting with a room of approximately 300 UW Health colleagues, to announce that UW Health has once again, been re-designated as a Magnet® organization.

This is very exciting news for UW Health and its patients, considering that the Magnet re-designation application process gets more rigorous each time an organization re-applies, every four years. Fewer than 10 percent of all registered hospitals in the United States receive Magnet designation or re-designation.

Jeanette Ives, Erickson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Executive Committee Member for the Commission on Magnet Recognition, ANCC, delivered the exciting news to Dr. Houlahan, congratulating her and the organization, and making a point to call out some of UW Health’s impressive exemplars.

In an emotional speech following the announcement, Dr. Houlahan stated, “I’ve worked for many other organizations and I have to say that UW Health – our nurses, staff and faculty – are simply the best. Thank you for all you do.”

Other leaders shared the same sentiment, thanking all UW Health teams for all they do to make UW Health Magnet.

What is Magnet?

Magnet designation is the most prestigious title a health care organization can achieve for nursing excellence and quality patient care. UW Health is one of 10 Magnet organizations in Wisconsin and one of 448 in the world.

In simple terms, Magnet is a big deal for patients and families – knowing they will receive the highest level of care at a Magnet hospital. For health professionals, Magnet shows that UW Health is set up for excellence. This leads to a sense of pride among faculty and staff in working here, and even more pride in contributing to our vision of providing Remarkable Healthcare to patients and families, near and far.