Highlighting Professional Practice

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2024 ANCC Magnet Conference

A remarkable team of UWMC nurses traveled to New Orleans for the ANCC Magnet Conference—an unforgettable experience that brought together voices from across our system. Our group included staff RNs and leaders from Ambulatory, the Emergency Department, ICU, Acute Care, Behavioral Health and others, all united by a shared commitment to nursing excellence. Representing a wide range of practice areas and backgrounds, we came together as one UWMC team to learn, grow, and celebrate what it means to be part of a Magnet organization.

Throughout the week, we were inspired by stories of innovation, resilience, and leadership from nurses across the nation. Our team engaged deeply with the Magnet Model, exploring how we can continue to elevate professional practice at home. We were especially energized by sessions focused on creating a culture of inquiry and applying evidence-based practice to improve nursing quality and patient outcomes. Whether it was during keynote sessions, hallway conversations, or evening walks through the French Quarter, the spirit of collaboration and pride in our profession was ever-present.

The trip reminded us that Magnet is more than a destination—it’s a journey we walk together. As we move forward on the path to Magnet #8, we’re returning with new ideas, stronger connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. The future of nursing at UWMC is bright—and this amazing team is leading the way:

  • Erica Grenz
  • McRomeo Libid
  • Kellie Garth Green
  • John Franco
  • Amadae Breaux
  • Kelsey Johnson
  • Cristine Beal
  • Sherry Selby
  • Allison Brunner
  • Kate McMonagle
  • Mariah Wilson
  • Gabrielle Delos Reyes
  • Nancy Wiederhold
  • Olga Cote
  • Linh Huynh Tran

Patient & Family Centered Care

The Work of our Patient and Family Advisory Councils

Patient & Family Centered Care (PFCC) is at the heart of nursing practice at UWMC. PFCC is a culture that values and promotes equality in relationships, collaboration, respect, information-sharing, and clear communication.

We are proud to have 6 Patient and Family Advisory Councils and a PFCC Steering Committee, with advisors, nurses and other disciplines working together to improve the patient & family experience at UWMC.

Our PFCC Steering Committee is completing an assessment from the Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care called Better Together. This organizational assessment gives us an opportunity to assess our current patient-and family-centered care policies and practices. One outcome of this assessment has been to create a guide for how to include PFCC language into UWMC policies. Our advisors continue to bring forward new perspectives and it’s our advisors who teach us what it means to provide PFCC care!

Our focus has been and will continue to be emphasizing families as part of the care team and family presence within the medical center. The partnerships we have with patients, families and our advisors improve outcomes for our patients especially when we include families as part of the care team.

Spotlight on New Leaders

This year, we are proud to introduce a remarkable group of new leaders who have joined our nursing team. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience, clinical expertise, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. Their leadership is essential as we continue to advance our strategic priorities, support professional development, and strengthen our culture of excellence. These new leaders will play a critical role in guiding teams, fostering innovation, and ensuring that our nursing practice remains at the forefront of quality and safety. Congratulations and welcome to your role!

Amy Haverland, MN, RN – Assistant Administrator Critical Care
Angi Nicholson MSN, RN - Director Ambulatory Care Nursing
Ashley Lengyel, RN, BSN, MHA – Nurse Manager Resource Team, ABCC, STAT and Vascular Access, NW Campus
Ben Longstroth, MS, MBA, RN, PMH-BC, NPDS-BC – Clinical Nurse Educator, Behavioral Health
Bridget O'Connor, DNP, RN, CHES – Clinical Nurse Specialist Med/Surg NW Campus
Caroline Kihunah, MSN, RN-BC – Manager of Care Coordination NW Campus
Christy Vogt, BSN, RN, CMSRN – Nurse Manager 6NE
Debbie Buchwach, MSN, RN, NPD-BC – NPDS, Ambulatory Care
Emily Agudo, RN, BSN, CEN – Clinical Excellence Coordinator, NW Campus
Eric Higashi, RN, BSN, BC - Assistant Administrator for Patient Throughput, Workforce Management, & Business Systems
Joel Green, MSN, RN, CCRN-CMC-CSC – Nurse Manager 5SA
Julie Myers, RN, MN - Clinical Nurse Educator, Behavioral
Kara Solem, MSN, BSN, CMSRN – Nurse Manager 4NE
Kelsey A. Johnson, RN, BSN, MSN – Nurse Manager Geropsychiatric and Behavioral Health Float Pool
Michelle McIntosh, RN, BSN, CIC, CPHQ -Manager Infection Prevention
Moriah Janke, BSN, RN-BC – Nurse Manager, 5E
Nancy Wiederhold, DNP, RN, CMSRN – Clinical Nurse Researcher, Magnet Program Director
Norma De Leon RN, CEN – Stroke Coordinator, NW Campus
Rebecca Nylin, MN, RN, CRNI – Clinical Nurse Specialist, Vascular Access
Stephanie Cazares, BSN, RN – Nurse Manager 1E Oncology and Outpatient Infusion, NW Campus
Tara Yanez, MN, OCN – Clinical Nurse Specialist, Oncology
Tasneem Janif, RN, BSN – Clinical Nurse Educator, Behavioral Health

UWMC Represented at ANNA

Nancy Colobong Smith, MN, ARNP, ANP-BC, CNN, FANNA

Beginning on April 16, 2024, I was honored to serve as the 55th National President of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA®), and the first Asian American to serve in this role. At the beginning of my presidency, I shared my early introduction to nephrology through my father, a physician from the Philippines who became a dialysis technician in Belding Scribner’s dialysis lab at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC), and how my journey continued as a nephrology nurse in transplant and kidney replacement therapies. During my term my theme was “Nephrology Nurses Lead with Light” and three areas of focus were leadership, inclusion, and innovation.

Leadership
All nurses are leaders who have a voice and the ability to inspire, motivate, influence collaboration, and advocate. Leadership is not about titles or positions. Leadership is a skill that can be developed, nurtured, and utilized at any point in your career. In July 2024 we developed a new ANNA logo featuring kidneys and healing hands to increase recognition of the specialty, and launched the Fellow of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (FANNA®) distinction in October 2024 to honor members whose expertise and leadership will guide the profession into the future.

Inclusion
Belonging, representation, mentorship and healthcare equity are all qualities associated with inclusion. To lead and to innovate also means including more perspectives. This year ANNA partnered with The DAISY Foundation to create the DAISY Award for Nephrology Nurses Advancing Health Equity which was awarded in September 2024. ANNA had a screening of Nurse Unseen at the Nephrology Nursing Summit in Atlanta, GA followed by a discussion panel with the Director, Michele Josue, and Producer, Carlo Velayo. Nurse Unseen shares that little known history of Filipino nurses in the United States and the toll to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. ANNA relaunched an online mentorship program to support students and new to practice members, and added four new courses to the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Webinar Series.

Innovation
Creative problem solving, developing new systems to meet evolving needs, and sharing of best practices are also forms of innovation. In July 2024, Nephrology Nursing Journal published the article Working together to promote kidney health which was co-authored by three American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and three ANNA presidents. In September 2024, ANNA partnered with ASN on a podcast “United for Kidney Care: Insights from the Presidents of ANNA and ASN. ASN President Deidre Crew and I served on two panels together at other conferences in 2024.