Mary Lou Etheredge and Maddy Pearson during the May 24 Magnet announcement.

Mary Lou Etheredge, MS, PMHCNS-BC, APRN, executive director of Nursing Practice Development, will leave her role at the Brigham June 8. She played a critical leadership role in BWH’s Magnet journey, orchestrating all of the work for the application, body of evidence and submissions. 

She has served as editor of BWH Heart & Science and its predecessor publication, BWH Nurse, since her arrival at BWH, ensuring that themes and content are meaningful to nurses and Patient Care Services staff and that articles are informative, educational and inspiring. 

Etheredge’s primary focus has been on advancing nursing practice throughout the hospital, and she has worked in close partnership with nursing leadership and clinical nurses to accomplish this. She also oversaw the formation of the department’s committee structure and led the process for the annual Kurlat Essence of Nursing Awards, among many other responsibilities.  

“Mary Lou’s contributions to advancing nursing practice cannot be overstated; she has been instrumental to defining what excellent nursing practice means and how to extend it so that all of our patients experience it,” said Maddy Pearson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services. “We are deeply grateful for all that she has done for nursing at the Brigham. She is a highly-regarded leader not only in our department, but throughout the hospital, and I believe that is because of her thoughtful, collaborative leadership style and her wisdom.”

Etheredge’s responsibilities will be covered going forward by the following leaders:

Stephanie Ahmed, DNP, FNP-BC, executive director of Clinical Effectiveness, will oversee BWH Heart & Science working with an editorial committee comprising staff from Nursing and Patient Care Services. She will also serve as Magnet Program director and co-lead the Practice and Professional Development Committee with Lisa Morrissey, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, associate chief nurse.

Associate Chief Nurses Janet Gorman, MM, BSN, RN, and Karen Reilly, DNP, MBA, RN, will co-chair the Nursing Coordinating Committee.