Magnet Mentor Named January 22, 2007 CVMC's Vice President Named Magnet Mentor By American Nurses Credentialing Center

HICKORY--Eddie Beard, Registered Nurse, Master of Science Nursing, Certified Nurse Administrator Advanced, at Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC), was recently recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Magnet Mentor. According to the ANCC, the Commission on Magnet has reviewed the knowledge, skills and abilities of their appraiser pool and selected Beard as one of the "best of the best" to fulfill the role of Magnet Mentor. Beard is Vice President of Patient Care at CVMC. In this position, Beard will be primarily responsible for ensuring that the knowledge of the Magnet Program is passed along to newly-selected Magnet Fellows and Team Members. CVMC received the prestigious Magnet hospital designation in May 2001, becoming the nation's 32nd Magnet hospital, and attained reaccreditation in June 2005. The Commission on Magnet Programs recognizes health care organizations for their excellence in nursing service. To date, less than 2% of the nation's 6,000 hospitals have been designated Magnet facilities. Established in 1993, the Magnet Nursing Services Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Service is the highest level of recognition that can be awarded to a health-care organization's nursing services. The recognition is bestowed by the ANCC, a program affiliated with the American Nurses Association dedicated to improving nursing practice and promoting high-quality health care services. Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, NC, is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC, in addition to its designation as a Magnet facility, was recently named a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.