After nearly 16 years of service to Hershey Medical Center, Judy Himes, senior vice president and chief nursing officer, will retire in August.
Himes has been a mentor and coach, committed to the professional development of staff nurses and nurse managers. She has demonstrated her dedication and leadership through shared governance and championing nurses’ participation in interprofessional collaboration. As a result, nurse satisfaction, patient experience, staff engagement and staff safety have all improved.
Himes led efforts that resulted in the Medical Center’s original designation as a Magnet organization. Three subsequent designations followed. This recognition, enjoyed by less than 12% of registered hospitals in the U.S., is the gold standard of nursing excellence.
She recently played a key role in negotiating a new, three-year contract for SEIU nurses, incorporating innovative strategies to address retention and recruitment.
“I have valued Judy’s counsel, enduring commitment to serving our institution and her unwavering leadership in developing the professional practice of nursing at the Medical Center,” said Hershey Medical Center President Deborah Berini. “She has made an impact on nursing during her tenure that supported high quality, patient centered care––which is the cornerstone to attracting and retaining excellent nursing professionals.”