Transformational Leadership
A Year of Nursing Excellence
UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) takes pride in the contributions of our nurses by supporting transformational practice across the spectrum of health care services, including all nursing functions established by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). UTSW was redesignated in 2021 for its sustained efforts in nursing excellence throughout the organization. The ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program is esteemed worldwide as the gold standard of nursing excellence. Nationally, over 600 hospitals out of more than 6,000 in the country have received the Magnet designation, and we are proud to be in that top 10 percent.
UTSW nurses have a powerful voice and continually enhance care across the health care system and North Texas. In 2025, UTSW Medical Center continued its consecutive nine-year run as the No. 1 hospital in DFW, ranking in 12 specialties, the most of any hospital in Texas by U.S. News & World Report, with 17 of our procedures and conditions rated as “High Performing.”
Nurses at UTSW are the institution’s lifeline, exemplifying influence, compassion, and clinical excellence. Transformational leadership begins with our frontline nurses, who consistently demonstrate vision and expertise through numerous awards, peer-reviewed articles, and podium presentations. UTSW nurses continually set the pace and cultivate a culture that supports patients, families, communities, and staff.
As in previous years, our nurses in 2025 were recognized locally, nationally, and internationally as transformational servant leaders at every level through direct patient care and beyond. The hallmark for UTSW nurses is that “excellence is our starting point, not our finish line.”
Welcoming a New CNO
In October, Adesuwa Odubele, M.S.N., RN, joined as Associate Vice President and University Hospital Chief Nursing Officer. Ms. Odubele oversees nursing practice throughout the hospital system, including inpatient units, operative services, and the emergency department. As the senior adviser for hospital nursing leadership, she develops strategies to advance nursing operations and clinical programs, ensuring consistent standards of care across all departments. Ms. Odubele came to us from Mountainview Hospital in Las Vegas, bringing a strong background in clinical operations and patient care across all major service lines. She is passionate about improving employee satisfaction and retention while maintaining exceptional patient care, including enhancing critical care, reducing length of stay, and expanding hospital initiatives. We are excited about the expertise, vision, and outstanding leadership she brings to our team!
During the interim transition in University Hospital nursing leadership, the organization’s ability to maintain stability and momentum reflected the results of Dr. Susan Hernandez’s sustained commitment to developing transformational leadership across the nursing enterprise. Through her intentional focus on leadership development and mentorship, Cynthia Hill, M.S.N., RN, Deshonna Taylor, D.N.P., RN, CCRN, and Byron Carlisle, M.S.N., RN, CCRN-K, SCRN, were prepared to step into expanded leadership roles, ensuring continuity of operations and sustained focus on strategic priorities. Their effectiveness during this transition demonstrated a leadership culture that proactively prepares nurse leaders to advance organizational goals during times of change.
Charge Ahead: Leveraging the Facility Charge Calculator for Higher Clinic Revenue
Hospital-based clinics (HBCs) adhere to stringent regulatory standards and care for critically ill patients with advanced disease. As demand for care increased in recent years, existing clinic facility fees were insufficient to offset rising operational costs, creating risk to sustaining the high level of HBC care. To address this gap, the Revenue Integrity team partnered with Claro Healthcare to leverage electronic medical record (EMR) technology to improve charge capture accuracy through enhanced clinical documentation. The initiative aimed to increase facility-level charges by 10%, from a baseline of 3,104 occurrences in August and September 2024 to 3,414 occurrences post-implementation in January and February 2025.
From March through August 2024, multidisciplinary stakeholders collaborated to develop and implement facility charge capture (FCC) logic, followed by system build, testing, staff training, and an EHR go-live on Oct. 1, 2024. Following implementation, utilization of facility-level charges for new and established non-procedure visits increased by 315%, with total charges rising from $4.5 million in December 2023 and January 2024 to $11 million in December 2024 and January 2025. Ongoing monitoring, reporting, and education, including use of the FCC Point Guide, are sustaining these gains and aligning facility fees with rising care costs, enabling HBCs to maintain high-quality care and a skilled nursing workforce in ambulatory settings.
Contributors:
- Irene David, M.S., B.S.N., RN
- Erika Lopez, B.S.N., RN
- EMR Team
Advancing the ECMO Staffing Model: Development of an ECMO Charge Nurse Role
In 2025, UT Southwestern Medical Center experienced significant growth in its ECMO program, with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulations performed outside the operating room increasing from 21 cases in 2023-24 to an annualized total of 52. This growth was further supported by the launch of the North Texas ECPR Collaborative with Dallas Fire & Rescue and regional ECMO centers, expanding ECMO cannulation into the emergency department for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. The elimination of perfusion support for non-OR cannulations expanded the scope of ECMO specialists and increased demand for rapid, systemwide response. Existing staffing models resulted in workflow disruptions, safety concerns, and delays, as CVICU nurses were required to leave bedside assignments to respond to ECMO activations. Despite implementation of a preassigned ECPR team, delays and nurse safety concerns persisted, prompting the proposal of a dedicated ECMO Charge Nurse role to provide 24/7 ECMO response coverage.
From January through May 2025, CVICU and ECMO nursing leadership engaged multidisciplinary stakeholders to evaluate staffing needs, host an ECPR town hall, and secure executive approval for the new role. Following approval by the Chief Nurse Executive in April 2025, recruitment began, and the first ECMO Charge Nurses were hired in August 2025. Four experienced ECMO specialist nurses now support the role, with a goal of two ECMO Charge Nurses per shift to provide continuous coverage. To date, ECMO Charge Nurses have responded to 60% of ECMO cannulations occurring outside the OR, significantly reducing CVICU nurse involvement and improving workflow efficiency. Responsibilities include ECPR response, equipment mobilization, participation in cardiogenic shock activations, and support of ECMO patients during multidisciplinary rounds. This role has strengthened care coordination, reduced delays in ECMO initiation, and allowed the ECMO Coordinator to focus on higher-level program oversight. Overall, the ECMO Charge Nurse role has enhanced patient safety, operational efficiency, and the continued growth and excellence of UT Southwestern’s ECMO program.
Contributors:
- Danielle Emmerton, B.S.N., RN
- Stephanie Houser, M.S.N., RN, CCRN-CSC, E-AEC
Awards
Accreditations reflect the professional expertise and facilitate validation of UT Southwestern nurses in providing the highest level of care and treatment for patients.
PRISM Award
In November, 7 Green received the PRISM Award from the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) and the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB). This is our institution’s first PRISM Award, and 7 Green is one of only three units in the entire DFW area to receive this national recognition.
The PRISM Award is bestowed upon medical-surgical units that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice, patient care, and teamwork. It highlights units that create an environment where nurses can provide high-quality care while supporting each other through the challenges of hospital work. This award is a direct reflection of the culture of nursing at UT Southwestern and the steadfast effort our nurses bring to patients and the community.
AAMN
UT Southwestern was recognized as a 2025 Best Workplace for Men in Nursing by the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) for the third consecutive year! The AAMN is a professional organization whose mission is “to shape the practice, education, research, and leadership for men in nursing and advance men’s health.” UTSW received the award at the 50th annual AAMN Conference in October in Orlando, Florida.
