Boatright to receive prestigious nursing administration award

Sweetwater Reporter
Written by Amanda Moreno
Friday, 02 January 2009

Donna Boatright, Associate Administrator and Chief Nursing Officer at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital, has been selected to receive an award from The Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE). The award, which is given for excellence in leadership in her field, honors Boatright's commitment to her staff and the patients that are under her care. Beyond that, the award recognizes Boatright's dedication to the community.

Boatright has made an impact on Sweetwater through her involvement in programs that help local residents. When the local health department lost funding for its Diabetes Education Program, Boatright stepped in and was instrumental in getting the program back up and running through the hospital itself.
She did similar things for the Prenatal Education Program. Again, the program lost funding and Boatright developed a hospital program which could provide the services without affecting the hospital budget.
Not only has she resurrected existing programs, she has implemented new ones. Boatright established a comprehensive program with Nolan County to provide prescription drugs to senior citizens who are financially incapable of paying for their much needed medications.

Donna also serves on the advisory board for the TSTC Nursing Program, and has served on the Sweetwater I.S.D. board of trustees. Each year, Boatright coordinates the annual "Leadership Sweetwater" program to make current and future leaders aware of challenges that healthcare institutions often face. Boatright's involvement with TONE is also extensive, and she has served in various capacities within the organization.

In addition to her hands-on approach to healthcare, Boatright also supports nursing students and entry-level nurses. "Donna has been my mentor since I arrived at RPMH 27 years ago," said Jeree Hendley. "She has been there to support me to be a CCRN and now a case manager. She always challenges her staff to think about patient issues and encourages us to come up with solutions. The medical staff looks to her as a leader at the hospital."

RPMH was recently named as the 24th best medical center to work at in the nation by Modern Healthcare magazine. Hospital Administrator Tom Kennedy credits employees like Boatright for helping to make RPMH a great place to work or receive care. "Such recognition would not be possible without the leadership and mentoring that Donna has provided to all members of the nursing department," he said.
Boatright expressed gratitude in being honored by the award. "I was very surprised and delighted to be selected," she said. I have served on the selection committee before, and there's a lot of talented nursing execs in the state. So to be chosen was a huge honor for me." She also credits her collegues for helping to make RPMH such a successful institution. "I am most blessed to be able to live in Sweetwater and work for this organization. I love working here, and we have a great nursing and medical staff, as well as a board of trustees who care deeply. It's like a family."

The TONE award will be presented on Thursday, Jan. 22 at the Texas Hospital Association's Leadership Conference Awards Luncheon in Austin.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 03 January 2009 )