Columbus Community Hospital Nurses Recognized For Professional Development Achievements

Columbus Community Hospital recently finished the fifth year of its Professional Development Program. Three nurses completed the program — Heather Elton, Gina Olson and Kimberly Wiese.

"It was a yearlong commitment, and we are very proud of their hard work and dedication to the program," said Mike Hansen, president and CEO of Columbus Community Hospital.

The Professional Development Program recognizes nursing staff members who have chosen to go above and beyond their regular duties to influence their profession and the hospital, while also continuing to provide direct patient care at the bedside. Since 2019, nurses have completed the PDP program 23 times.

Its goal is to encourage and support nurses as they engage in educational opportunities that provide them with a greater sense of community.

"This program increases the quality of patient care by encouraging and rewarding an ongoing process of learning and development by each nurse,” said Tawny Sandifer, vice president of nursing and patient care services. “I am so proud of these three nurses, and commend their dedication to their professional development and the care they provide here at Columbus Community Hospital.”

These individuals completed different levels of the program, as follows:

• Heather Elton, Level IV. She previously completed the program in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

• Gina Olson, Level II. She also completed the program in 2020 and 2022.

• Kimberly Wiese, Level III. This is her first year completing this program.

For more information about nursing at Columbus Community Hospital, visit columbushosp.org.