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Excellence celebration part of Magnet journey by Heather Woolwine Public Relations The chilly, windy November weather couldn’t compete with the incredible number of poster and essay entries for the first Celebrating Excellence Fair Nov. 17. Proud presenters, colorful and creative poster boards, and the scents rising from food vendors kept the crowd gathered for the fair warm on the inside, even if their outsides were a little cold.   “The enthusiasm amongst the staff to share their examples of excellence was palpable,” said Marilyn Schaffner, R.N., chief nursing officer. “It was a reminder that we already have a high level of excellence throughout the organization. One only needed to view the posters and talk with  the staff to find the evidence.”   Linda Rivers, clinical associate, EKG Lab, stands next to her poster entitled “The Heart of The Matter.” Rivers received an honorable mention and prize for the effort.  Judging of poster presentations took place at the beginning of the fair, and essay contributions were judged prior to the festivities. The Celebrating Excellence Fair marked an important effort on behalf of the many MUSC staff members to highlight and demonstrate the medical center’s numerous examples of excellence.   Efforts to make the medical center an even better place to work and care for patients reminded all in attendance of the commitment and dedication necessary for Magnet designation.   “The fair was a celebration of clinical excellence and recognition of the people who change lives every day at MUSC,” said Laurie Zone-Smith, R.N., Clinical Services. “The posters and essays showed the importance of team partnerships between nurses, clinical associates, pharmacists, technicians and physicians to reach their project goals.  These examples of clinical, education and leadership excellence demonstrate the gold standard in patient care.”      Fair vendors included EVO’s Pizza, Ling’s Oriental Cuisine, Jason’s Deli, Sticky Fingers, Rococo Bakery, the Crepe Stand, and Kettle Corn.   Prizes for the winners of the poster presentation and essay contest were provided by Bonnie Holden’s Victorian Gallery; Charleston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; Coconut Joe’s; Palmetto Infusion; Life Center of Charleston; Nursing Digest; Jodi Darby Infinger with Hair Cuttery; Lynne Nemeth, Ph.D., Clinical Services Administration; and Wendy Bobseine, Psychiatry.   All entries, winning posters, and essay submissions will be displayed in the Children's Hospital lobby from 9 a.m to 4 p.m Dec. 2. Winners Essay 1st: “Simply Magnetic” Frank Kerr, BSN, CNC, Information Technology 2nd: “Institute of Psychiatry and the National Alliance on Mental Illness: A Partnership for Empowering Patients, Families” Bryan Counts, M.Ed., Office of Educational Services, Institute of Psychiatry Poster 1st: Increasing Compliance for Synagis Prophylaxis—Pediatric Primary Care. John Martines, R.N., BSN. Co-presenter, Sue White, R.N., MSN. 2nd: Hemapheresis Procedures-They are not ALL an emergency—Hemapheresis. Ann Lovering, R.N., BSN. Co-presenter, Erni Moore, R.N. 3rd: Improvement of Pain Management in the Adult Trauma Patient—ER. Robert Rodrigues, R.N., CNL. Co-presenter, Deborah Couillard, R.N., BSN. 4th: Blood Pressure Measurement in Pediatric Ambulatory Care—Peds Ambulatory Care. Rosemarie Battaglia, R.N., MSN. Co-presenter: Kathy Sellers, R.N., MSN. 5th: Developing and Implementing an Interdisciplinary Educational Conference Series to Improve Organizational Performance—Pharmacy. Nanette Berensen, Pharm D. BCPS. Co-presenters, Krystal L. Moorman, Pharm.D.; C. Wayne Weart, Pharm.D., BCPS; Mark H. DeLegge, M.D.; Ronald O. Nickel, Ph.D.; Celeste O. Phillips, M.N.; Paul W. Bush, Pharm.D., MBA; Marilyn Schaffner, R.N., MSN, CGRN; and Odessa B. Ussery, M.Ed.   Friday, Nov. 25, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.