The Year in Review
By Karen A. Grimley
PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAAN
Chief Nursing Executive, UCLA Health Assistant Dean, UCLA School of Nursing
As I reflect on the past year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our nurses for the way that you show up. The care that you deliver is immeasurable. You are highly skilled, professional and compassionate, combining technical expertise with humanity to care for some of the sickest patients in the world. But it’s more than that, because most of us can learn how to use advanced technology and get good at it; it takes a special person to practice nursing the way you do at UCLA Health.
"We have more than 6,000 nurses at UCLA Health who show up every day and deliver care as they would for a family member, with love and compassion and the courage to help patients and their colleagues during the most challenging times in their lives."
Looking ahead, we’re preparing to open a brand-new psychiatric hospital next summer. Thanks to the dedication of our teams, we are ready to not only transition smoothly but also expand our capacity to meet the growing behavioral and mental health demands of our community and beyond.
Our ambulatory services also continue to grow. With more than 280 clinics across our health system, we are ensuring patients can access the same exceptional care close to their home or work. In the community, we’ve strengthened the connection between home health agencies and primary care offices helping patients get the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
Innovation has been a hallmark of the past year. We piloted SupportingYou, a peer-to-peer support program that offers confidential support following emotionally challenging events at work. We launched a focus group to develop artificial intelligence-driven tools to improve patient care and workflow. We explored virtual nursing models to expedite the care our patients need to get them home sooner.
Additionally, our Center for Nursing Excellence continues to equip nurses with the advanced training, skills and resources needed to remain at the forefront of leading-edge care. Every day, our nurses care for patients with the most complex conditions — those requiring transplantation, cardiac surgery, brain surgery and other highly specialized treatments. The Center ensures our teams are prepared to meet these challenges by advancing best practices, fostering innovation and maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.
Behind the incredible work of the bedside stands a leadership team equally committed to advancing the nursing profession. From our clinical nurse managers to unit directors and senior and executive and chief nursing officers, our leaders work tirelessly to create the conditions necessary for nurses to provide patient-centered, compassionate care with the highest level of skill and dedication.
Every day you bring skill, dedication and humanity to your work, ensuring that those in our care receive not just world-class treatment, but kindness, dignity and hope. Whether navigating complex clinical challenges, providing comfort in difficult moments, or leading innovations that shape the future of nursing, your impact is immeasurable. Your contributions strengthen our organization and inspire those around you. UCLA Health is better because of you.
A heartfelt thank you for all you do.