Excellence in Nursing Awards - 2018

In 2011, El Camino started the journey of implementing the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders program, aimed at improving geriatric care. Shortly thereafter, Mae Dizon joined the hospital's nursing team and the NICHE program has never been the same. Dizon became the point person on NICHE, working with clinical leaders to train them on how to improve care for the elderly. Under her leadership, the Mountain View, Calif., hospital earned NICHE's highest designation—Exemplar status. Dizon also co-chairs the hospital's nursing research council, allowing her to mentor colleagues interested in studying new care models. She's worked with clinical leaders to reduce readmissions and improve other care pathways.