Excellence in practice
Our nurses are leaders and decision makers with ideas worth sharing. Organized into five centers, PeaceHealth Oregon Institute for Nursing Excellence exists to help nurses practice at the highest level possible.
We invest in our nurses' innovative ideas, professional development and clinical expertise because it benefits not just our caregivers and patients, but also our wider Lane County community.
Center for Professional Practice and Clinical Education
Provides caregivers with ongoing professional development opportunities and support. This center offers:
- Support for board certification and progressive competencies
- Access to academic education and professional advancement programs
- Help to prepare for new roles through residency and fellowship practice transition programs
Center for Career Development and Retention
Encourages nurses to explore their areas of interest, pursue further education and advance their knowledge of various healthcare careers through community partnerships. The center offers:
- Leadership development
- Access to our Professional Nurse Advancement Program
- Mentorship
- Scholarships, travel funding for conferences and other forms of financial aid
Center for Innovation and Research
Empowers nurses to apply best practices and evidence-based innovations to improve patient care. This includes:
- Structure to implement caregiving improvements
- Funding for research and innovation
- Support for sharing their findings locally, nationally and internationally
Center for Professional Governance
Empowers nurses to directly improve their work experience and creates opportunities to influence care in their units and hospitals. This includes:
- Improving nursing workflows
- Raising the quality of care by providing the structure and support for collaborative decision-making all all levels
Center for Professional Nursing Recognitions
Celebrates exemplary caregivers and care teams that foster healthy practice environments and have strong patient outcomes. Recognitions include:
- DAISY Awards for individual nurses and nursing teams
- Sunflower Award for allied health caregivers
- Touchstone Award for other providers
Testimonials
"I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to go to this year's Magnet conference. It's moments like these that make bedside nurses like me feel empowered and motivated to make changes."
— Andrew McClain, RN
Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend
"I’ve got people to support me to be the best nurse that I can possibly be.”
— Rebekah Hartzog, RN
Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend
Led by experienced caregivers
Meet our team
Director of Nursing and Clinical Excellence
Nicole Gooding (she/her/ella) is dedicated to fostering practice environments that inspire nurses to deliver healthcare wisely and compassionately. She has more than 20 years of experience leading nursing and talent development teams. Nicole has practiced nursing in Australia and the United States.
Director of Professional Practice and Clinical Education
Merry van Zoeren (she/her/hers) has 24 years of experience in critical care and education. She joined PeaceHealth in 2022 as the director of clinical education, supporting PeaceHealth hospitals in the Oregon Network. She co-leads the Oregon Institute for Nursing Excellence, overseeing professional practice and clinical education.
Manager of Innovation and Research
Rachel Moses (she/her/hers) brings 15 years of nursing experience to her role. She has been with PeaceHealth since 2016, working in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and the Emergency Department. She joined the Oregon Institute for Nursing Excellence in 2022. In her current position, she helps caregivers, providers and leaders bring their ideas to life.
Program Manager of Career Development and Retention
Renee Francis (she/her/hers) has dedicated most of her nursing career to the Emergency Department at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. In her current role, she is passionate about using her knowledge, skills and experiences to support caregivers across the network in designing career pathways.
Professional Practice Leader
Sarah Hall-Shalvoy (she/her/hers) has a diverse nursing background that spans 27 years. She has served in areas such as critical care, telemetry, public health, academia, risk management, patient safety, clinician education, ANA Magnet leadership and professional development.
Professional Practice Leader
Jeannette Styles (she/her/hers) served as the first president of nursing staff for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend for two years before stepping into her current role at the institute. She brings extensive expertise to her position, with more than 11 years of critical care experience in the Intensive Care Unit.
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Get Involved
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