Our ministry was honored to have two nurses recognized at the Gala of the Virginia Nurses Association and the Virginia Nurses Foundation in September. Jenna Best, a nurse manager in ICU at Bon Secours Southampton Medical Center, was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Trailblazer. And Magdalys (Maggie) Ortiz, an acute rehab unit clinical care lead at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Award Winner.
Learn more about what inspired Maggie and Jenna and to be nursing leaders in this fun Q&A!
Maggie Ortiz
What do you like about working in the acute rehab unit?
“They are a great team of individuals that truly care for the patients and work very hard to rehabilitate patients back to the community. I see them as my second family.”
What called you specifically to serve in this way?
“I come from a Catholic Puerto Rican family, in which the matriarchs of the family were caregivers. I still recall from a very young age that my grandmother and mother would bring me along while they took care of my great-grandfather, who was blind and very elderly at the time. Growing up in my family, I saw how they cared for each other and for people within their community that needed help. I was taught to help people, no questions asked.
As a nurse leader, my goals have always been to help my nursing team achieve their goals and be the best nurse they can be so they can be successful in providing quality patient care.”
What does it mean to you to win this award?
“I’m very humbled and honored to receive this award, and to be recognized in this way. Apart from the reason that I am very hard on myself, and work very hard to be the best version of myself so that I can help my team the best way possible, I don’t think this would have been possible without a variety of nurse mentors that I have had throughout my career and the leadership of MMC’s acute rehab unit. They have been very supportive of me throughout the years and now that I’m back in school for my Doctorate in Nursing Practice.”
Is there any advice you’d like to give to other nurses?
“My first advice is to remember why you initially wanted to become a nurse; it’s so easy to forget in our chaotic environment. Many of us entered the nursing field to help people and make a difference. This sentiment may help you on tough days. Remember that self-care is very important – you cannot help others if your cup is empty.
My last advice is to keep your mind forward-thinking. Envision where you want to see yourself and how to be the best version of yourself for you, your family and career. This may help you achieve both your personal and career goals.”
Jenna Best
What do you like about working in the ICU? What called you specifically to serve in this way?
“I initially started out as a cardiac stepdown/post-open heart nurse. I then decided I wanted to explore my options as nurse in the emergency room. As much as I loved the ER, I was ready for a new challenge. I missed being at the bedside, and I wanted to be able to see my patients’ progress. The ICU offers complex patients and challenges you to use your critical thinking skills every day. You also get the opportunity to utilize a multi-disciplinary approach and collaborate with other health care professionals to develop the best plan of care for your patients.”
What does it mean to you to win this award?
“Winning this award is truly an honor. I owe a huge thank you to my nursing leaders, Kim Warren and Cassandra Lewis, who have instilled confidence in me as a new nurse leader throughout this past year. They continue to foster my development, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support. For that I will forever be grateful.”
Is there any advice you’d like to give to other nurses?
“Nursing is a challenging but rewarding profession. I would encourage my fellow nurses to be humble and never be afraid to ask questions. Go to work every day with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn something new. Never be afraid to speak up for your patients; you are their biggest advocate. Lastly, don’t lose sight of why you became a nurse.”
This holiday season, we are celebrating by spreading the good news! Read more thankful stories, like this one, that feature our team members, patients and the wonderful communities we are blessed to serve.
Also, learn about the health care services we provide at Bon Secours.
