Mary Jo Schreiber
September 2014
Mary Jo
Schreiber
,
RN, MSN
Nursing Administration
Winter Haven Hospital
Winter Haven
,
FL
United States
We all have been inspired to be our best and to be more by our Chief Nursing Officer. She has left her mark on Winter Haven Hospital and nursing in general.
She took a stand on nursing issues and refused to compromise any of the things that would comprise a best practice model, despite the changes in health care. She would go to bat for those things important not just to nursing but to the nurse. She was fearless in her willingness to advocate for those who reported to her, as well as any department or employee who would impact patient care. She was respected by patients, by staff, by administration, by physicians by educators and by many in this community (Which is no small feat in this new healthcare area).
She has contributed a legacy by mentoring and inspiring others to be more. She is committed to research, to caring and to empowerment of the nurse at the grassroots level. She promoted Shared Governance and professional growth of every nurse that reported to her through her advocacy of certification and ongoing continuing education. Her approach was to lead by example, which she did with great humbleness and grace. And she had an uncanny way of knowing what was going on in every unit in the hospital.
Her commitment to excellence has been captured by her passion to become Magnet and then to remain Magnet. Her vision of how a nurse should be, and how patients should be treated, materialized in her collaboration and implementation of the Jean Watson Theory of Caring in our organization.
She has been seen all over the hospital calling staff by name, and able to discuss issues with wisdom and understanding. She was trusted, authentic and genuine.
Her military background gave her order and structure, but her deep spiritual core balanced that with compassion and patience. She is a validation that what we all went into nursing to do is possible.
She has supported the DAISY Nursing Award process and we feel at the Professional Nurse Practice Council that it would just not be right for her to retire without receiving the award herself for her tireless commitment to the BEDSIDE NURSE and the patients they care for!
Her PNPC group had many other similar experiences:
Although I did not work for Mary Jo directly, I had the opportunity to observe her as a leader for these last three years. My job description takes me to all departments and I have relationships with all levels of this organization (staff, nurses, managers, directors, physicians and ancillary personnel). I have never heard anyone (literally anyone ever) who spoke of her in any terms other than respect and gratitude that she was at the helm of our nursing department. I have worked many places in my nursing career, but have fallen in love with Winter Haven Hospital because of the energy and standards she held us all to.
Noel Holdsworth, Psychiatric Consultation Liaison
I would like to nominate Mary Jo for a DAISY Award. Mary Jo is the epitome of a true leader. In my opinion she is the reason Winter Haven Hospital is a successful nurturing and caring Magnet facility. She is a leader that doesn't say "Go", but she says "Let's Go"! She is always an encouragement to me and she is such an inspiration to all of those around her. Her leadership, guidance and dedication has been instrumental in improving our community and because of her dedication, our hospital has persevered through many difficult times. Mary Jo is always available to assist the patients, the staff, and her community, and that selflessness is what I admire the most about her. It is easy to identify a leader in good times, but it is during the difficult and dark times that an amazing leader can be identified. Mary Jo is definitely one of those amazing leaders. She has carried so many of us through those difficult times, and she stands behind the nurses and advocates for what is right on a daily basis. She never gives up, and her loyalty to this hospital has always been unwavering. Mary Jo has stayed strong through all of the nursing shortages and constant changes in healthcare, and continues to motivate and inspire everyone with her great attitude, amazing work ethic, and compassionate heart. It is because of her, that I strive to be the best nurse and leader that I can possibly be, and I hope to one day be half the mentor she has been to me. I hope she is awarded the DAISY Award so that she may know how much she is loved, valued, and respected by all of those who have the honor to work with her.
Michelle Parton (MICU, SICU)
Joy Fuller Rehabilitation Center and Orthopedics would like to extend our deepest appreciation and affection to Mary Jo. The leadership and guidance provided over these years have been incomparable. She is an inspiration, a mentor and a friend. Mary Jo has worked countless hours with little regard for her own comfort in order to improve conditions that will allow the nurses under her to flourish. We thank you, we love you.
Angel M Escabar
I distinctly remember Mary Jo speaking at my orientation as a new nurse. I remember thinking that THIS was the kind of nurse I would strive to be. She was and still is my inspiration to be the best nurse I can possibly be.
Sandra Berges (AMCU, COU)
Mary Jo represents all aspects of excellent nursing wrapped up into one person. Not only has she demonstrated great clinical skill through her many years of experience but she does so while displaying kindness and compassion towards patients, families and staff. Mary Jo doesn't settle for standard care, but goes above and beyond to research and provide the best care possible for patients. One of her best qualities is her dedication and advocacy for her nursing staff and the profession as a whole. To put it simply, Mary Jo is a role model for nurses.
Jenna Dalton (Street 2 - MSDC)
Mary Jo Schreiber has enhanced the lives of countless patients and families through her devotion to both medical clinical trials and nursing research. The support has been through the following:
.Helpful caring relationships with both nurses and physicians who seek her research knowledge and advice
.An open door policy to patients, families, nurses, and physicians
.Many years of dedicated membership on Winter Haven Hospital Institutional Review Board
.Financial backing for research education
.Financial backing for both Magnet and Watson Caring Science Institute multi-site studies
.Uncanny ability to "show up" when a patient, visitor, employee or physician needs her most
Sally Raiden (Research and Professional Practice)
Mary Jo Schreiber is truly a transformational leader who leads by example and encourages her staff to want to lead as well. She is not a micromanager but recognizes the value in each and every employee. She inspires others to want to be their best by instilling hope, power, and knowledge in us. She has confidence in us to do what is right for our patients. She has an "open door policy" where all feel comfortable to come to her with issues or concerns. She will be truly missed since she has helped set the tone of what a professional should be.
Kawana Pinckney
Mary Jo is an example of a true nursing leader. She's not just someone who sits in the office making policies. She cares about her staff, she knows everyone by their name. She's always smiling and supportive. She is a compassionate nursing leader that exemplifies the true nursing profession. She will be greatly missed. We love you, Mary Jo!
Amy A Davis (Cath Lab Prep & Recovery)
Mary Jo deserves the DAISY Award because she personifies what the DAISY Award stands for. She is the spirit of the hospital in her kind and caring manner. She genuinely cares about her nurses and wants what is best for all of us. She has dedicated her career to making Winter Haven Hospital a good place to work for nurses and guided us on our organization's journey to Magnet. For this Mary Jo should receive the DAISY Award.
Mallory Meyer (Mother/Baby)
Mary Jo should get the DAISY Award because she embodies an extraordinary nurse. She is the one person we as nurses can go to who always has our best interest at heart. Mary Jo has every single character trait listed for the DAISY Award. Some examples include humility and modesty. Team players who find themselves privileged enough to work with her side-by-side see it as a gift. She is always calm, focused, communicative, and comforting. More than anything, Mary Jo has made this hospital what it is today and she will be greatly missed.
Jill Stross (Endo)
Mary Jo is an inspiration for nurses in every area of the hospital. At the bedside she reminds us that the most important aspects of nursing care are those that we learned in Nursing 101 caring and a gentle touch as we meet basic needs. As we move farther from the bedside into leadership positions, she reminds us that the most important aspects of leading others are the principles that we learned in Nursing 101 caring and a gentle touch the only difference is to whom we are delivering our care. Mary Jo demonstrated this to us every day in every encounter.
Susie Hart
Thank you for having a listening ear and being that outstanding voice for all nurses.
Litisia Davis (Resource Management, ADT, Vas. Access)
As nurses are the heartbeat of medicine, it has been my privilege to work at a facility with such an exemplar in the art of nursing as Mary Jo Schreiber. From my experiences as a volunteer in high school, to my work as a nursing technician and then a registered nurse, Mary Jo's positive influences on the nursing staff at Winter Haven Hospital has always been apparent to me. Personally, she has inspired me to strive for nothing short of excellence in my daily care of patients and their families, as well as advancement in my education so that one day perhaps I can inspire just one new nurse to excel the way that she has inspired many. I have often found Mary Jo at the bedside of patients, even while in the CNO position. Her accessibility, dedication to quality patient care, and nursing excellence and innovation is shown through her ability to empower others. As a member of Professional Nurse Practice Council, Mary Jo's unwavering support has allowed bedside nurses to accomplish phenomenal things, and it has truly been an honor to work with her. She has presented countless DAISY Awards to her nurses in the past, and it's far past time she had one herself!
Audra Lankford (Oncology)
Thank you! We honor you! We will be your legacy!
She took a stand on nursing issues and refused to compromise any of the things that would comprise a best practice model, despite the changes in health care. She would go to bat for those things important not just to nursing but to the nurse. She was fearless in her willingness to advocate for those who reported to her, as well as any department or employee who would impact patient care. She was respected by patients, by staff, by administration, by physicians by educators and by many in this community (Which is no small feat in this new healthcare area).
She has contributed a legacy by mentoring and inspiring others to be more. She is committed to research, to caring and to empowerment of the nurse at the grassroots level. She promoted Shared Governance and professional growth of every nurse that reported to her through her advocacy of certification and ongoing continuing education. Her approach was to lead by example, which she did with great humbleness and grace. And she had an uncanny way of knowing what was going on in every unit in the hospital.
Her commitment to excellence has been captured by her passion to become Magnet and then to remain Magnet. Her vision of how a nurse should be, and how patients should be treated, materialized in her collaboration and implementation of the Jean Watson Theory of Caring in our organization.
She has been seen all over the hospital calling staff by name, and able to discuss issues with wisdom and understanding. She was trusted, authentic and genuine.
Her military background gave her order and structure, but her deep spiritual core balanced that with compassion and patience. She is a validation that what we all went into nursing to do is possible.
She has supported the DAISY Nursing Award process and we feel at the Professional Nurse Practice Council that it would just not be right for her to retire without receiving the award herself for her tireless commitment to the BEDSIDE NURSE and the patients they care for!
Her PNPC group had many other similar experiences:
Although I did not work for Mary Jo directly, I had the opportunity to observe her as a leader for these last three years. My job description takes me to all departments and I have relationships with all levels of this organization (staff, nurses, managers, directors, physicians and ancillary personnel). I have never heard anyone (literally anyone ever) who spoke of her in any terms other than respect and gratitude that she was at the helm of our nursing department. I have worked many places in my nursing career, but have fallen in love with Winter Haven Hospital because of the energy and standards she held us all to.
Noel Holdsworth, Psychiatric Consultation Liaison
I would like to nominate Mary Jo for a DAISY Award. Mary Jo is the epitome of a true leader. In my opinion she is the reason Winter Haven Hospital is a successful nurturing and caring Magnet facility. She is a leader that doesn't say "Go", but she says "Let's Go"! She is always an encouragement to me and she is such an inspiration to all of those around her. Her leadership, guidance and dedication has been instrumental in improving our community and because of her dedication, our hospital has persevered through many difficult times. Mary Jo is always available to assist the patients, the staff, and her community, and that selflessness is what I admire the most about her. It is easy to identify a leader in good times, but it is during the difficult and dark times that an amazing leader can be identified. Mary Jo is definitely one of those amazing leaders. She has carried so many of us through those difficult times, and she stands behind the nurses and advocates for what is right on a daily basis. She never gives up, and her loyalty to this hospital has always been unwavering. Mary Jo has stayed strong through all of the nursing shortages and constant changes in healthcare, and continues to motivate and inspire everyone with her great attitude, amazing work ethic, and compassionate heart. It is because of her, that I strive to be the best nurse and leader that I can possibly be, and I hope to one day be half the mentor she has been to me. I hope she is awarded the DAISY Award so that she may know how much she is loved, valued, and respected by all of those who have the honor to work with her.
Michelle Parton (MICU, SICU)
Joy Fuller Rehabilitation Center and Orthopedics would like to extend our deepest appreciation and affection to Mary Jo. The leadership and guidance provided over these years have been incomparable. She is an inspiration, a mentor and a friend. Mary Jo has worked countless hours with little regard for her own comfort in order to improve conditions that will allow the nurses under her to flourish. We thank you, we love you.
Angel M Escabar
I distinctly remember Mary Jo speaking at my orientation as a new nurse. I remember thinking that THIS was the kind of nurse I would strive to be. She was and still is my inspiration to be the best nurse I can possibly be.
Sandra Berges (AMCU, COU)
Mary Jo represents all aspects of excellent nursing wrapped up into one person. Not only has she demonstrated great clinical skill through her many years of experience but she does so while displaying kindness and compassion towards patients, families and staff. Mary Jo doesn't settle for standard care, but goes above and beyond to research and provide the best care possible for patients. One of her best qualities is her dedication and advocacy for her nursing staff and the profession as a whole. To put it simply, Mary Jo is a role model for nurses.
Jenna Dalton (Street 2 - MSDC)
Mary Jo Schreiber has enhanced the lives of countless patients and families through her devotion to both medical clinical trials and nursing research. The support has been through the following:
.Helpful caring relationships with both nurses and physicians who seek her research knowledge and advice
.An open door policy to patients, families, nurses, and physicians
.Many years of dedicated membership on Winter Haven Hospital Institutional Review Board
.Financial backing for research education
.Financial backing for both Magnet and Watson Caring Science Institute multi-site studies
.Uncanny ability to "show up" when a patient, visitor, employee or physician needs her most
Sally Raiden (Research and Professional Practice)
Mary Jo Schreiber is truly a transformational leader who leads by example and encourages her staff to want to lead as well. She is not a micromanager but recognizes the value in each and every employee. She inspires others to want to be their best by instilling hope, power, and knowledge in us. She has confidence in us to do what is right for our patients. She has an "open door policy" where all feel comfortable to come to her with issues or concerns. She will be truly missed since she has helped set the tone of what a professional should be.
Kawana Pinckney
Mary Jo is an example of a true nursing leader. She's not just someone who sits in the office making policies. She cares about her staff, she knows everyone by their name. She's always smiling and supportive. She is a compassionate nursing leader that exemplifies the true nursing profession. She will be greatly missed. We love you, Mary Jo!
Amy A Davis (Cath Lab Prep & Recovery)
Mary Jo deserves the DAISY Award because she personifies what the DAISY Award stands for. She is the spirit of the hospital in her kind and caring manner. She genuinely cares about her nurses and wants what is best for all of us. She has dedicated her career to making Winter Haven Hospital a good place to work for nurses and guided us on our organization's journey to Magnet. For this Mary Jo should receive the DAISY Award.
Mallory Meyer (Mother/Baby)
Mary Jo should get the DAISY Award because she embodies an extraordinary nurse. She is the one person we as nurses can go to who always has our best interest at heart. Mary Jo has every single character trait listed for the DAISY Award. Some examples include humility and modesty. Team players who find themselves privileged enough to work with her side-by-side see it as a gift. She is always calm, focused, communicative, and comforting. More than anything, Mary Jo has made this hospital what it is today and she will be greatly missed.
Jill Stross (Endo)
Mary Jo is an inspiration for nurses in every area of the hospital. At the bedside she reminds us that the most important aspects of nursing care are those that we learned in Nursing 101 caring and a gentle touch as we meet basic needs. As we move farther from the bedside into leadership positions, she reminds us that the most important aspects of leading others are the principles that we learned in Nursing 101 caring and a gentle touch the only difference is to whom we are delivering our care. Mary Jo demonstrated this to us every day in every encounter.
Susie Hart
Thank you for having a listening ear and being that outstanding voice for all nurses.
Litisia Davis (Resource Management, ADT, Vas. Access)
As nurses are the heartbeat of medicine, it has been my privilege to work at a facility with such an exemplar in the art of nursing as Mary Jo Schreiber. From my experiences as a volunteer in high school, to my work as a nursing technician and then a registered nurse, Mary Jo's positive influences on the nursing staff at Winter Haven Hospital has always been apparent to me. Personally, she has inspired me to strive for nothing short of excellence in my daily care of patients and their families, as well as advancement in my education so that one day perhaps I can inspire just one new nurse to excel the way that she has inspired many. I have often found Mary Jo at the bedside of patients, even while in the CNO position. Her accessibility, dedication to quality patient care, and nursing excellence and innovation is shown through her ability to empower others. As a member of Professional Nurse Practice Council, Mary Jo's unwavering support has allowed bedside nurses to accomplish phenomenal things, and it has truly been an honor to work with her. She has presented countless DAISY Awards to her nurses in the past, and it's far past time she had one herself!
Audra Lankford (Oncology)
Thank you! We honor you! We will be your legacy!