Great 100 Nurses

TWO BAYLOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AT PLANO NURSES NAMED TO PRESTIGIOUS GREAT 100 LIST 

(PLANO, TX, April 19, 2010) – Known for their dedication to their patients, profession and community, Alice Kern-Kirby, RN, BSN, NE-BC, and Bi-Jue Chang, RN, MS, OCN, CCRC, both nurses at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, have been named to the “Great 100 Nurses” list for 2010.

Alice, director of critical care at Baylor Plano, has been a nurse for more than 27 years. She has a reputation among patients and co-workers as a charismatic, compassionate and understanding nurse. 

“Alice leads by example and is able to accomplish anything that is needed to be done.  No task is too hard,” said Ellen Pitcher, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano. “She has the ability to manage multiple, competing priorities very effectively.” 

“Alice has been instrumental in the development of our scoliosis service line. She has also facilitated the implementation of an electronic health record over the last three years,” continues Pitcher. 

Bi-Jue has been a nurse for more than 30 years, and currently serves as an oncology nurse at Baylor Plano. Her strength is providing clinical expertise while mentoring and developing new nurses.   

“Bi-Jue has been a vital force in the overall evolution of oncology nursing at Baylor Plano,” said Pitcher.  “She has been involved and held numerous leadership roles with the oncology nursing society and was a critical component in the opening of our oncology floor.” 

Numerous patients have been touched by Bi-Jue’s compassionate care.

“Bi-Jue proved to be the most caring, humble and considerate nurse who is truly interested in each patient’s life of any health care worker I have ever met,” a former patient wrote on his blog. “She has a healing spirit, and she is among the brightest.” 

Bi-Jue and Alice are among the 20 Baylor Health Care System nurses named to the 2010 Great 100 Nurses list.   This is an annual award sponsored by the Texas Nurse Association (TNA) Districts 3 and 4, the North Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (NTONE) and the North Central Organization of Nurse Executives.  The award focuses on nurses’ qualities as role models in leadership, service to the community, compassion as a caregiver, and significant contributions to nursing. 

Baylor Plano brings the residents of Collin County and North Texas the benefits of an acute care medical and surgical facility that meets adult health care needs. Comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up care are offered on the hospital’s smoke-free campus. Services include treatment for advanced spine deformities at the Baylor Scoliosis Center, neurosciences, orthopaedics, medical and radiation oncology, surgical weight loss, women’s services, gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, pulmonary, sleep disorders, pain management, and diabetes management. 

Annually, Baylor Health Care System reports its community benefit to the Department of State Health Services. In fiscal year 2009, Baylor reported a preliminary number of $452.4 million in community benefits.  To learn more about Baylor Plano and the Baylor Health Care System, go to www.BaylorHealth.com/Plano