MEMPHIS, TENN., TUESDAY, OCT. 22, 2019 ― The Tennessee Hospital Association honored nine hospital and health system executives and employees during its 2019 Annual Meeting held in Nashville on Friday, Oct. 18. Among the honorees was Saint Francis Healthcare nurse Stephanie Cowan, who earned the Clinical Nurse of Distinction Award.

Awards were presented in eight categories, including CEO of Distinction, Senior Executive of Distinction, Trustee of Distinction, Nurse Leader of Distinction, Clinical Nurse of Distinction, Patient Safety Leadership and Diversity Champion.

Cowan, who serves as director of nursing in the critical care unit at Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis, has more than 38 years of experience in nursing and is described by Saint Francis leadership as a results-driven nurse leader. In 2018, she led the intensive care unit team to reducing urinary tract infections and stage III and stage IV pressure ulcers to zero, which were leading factors in helping the hospital increase its Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services star rating from a two to a three.

Jennifer Chiusano, chief nursing officer for Saint Francis Healthcare, said, “Stephanie is a dynamic nurse leader who moves the needle forward to provide better care for patients and advance the organization as a whole. Her passion for nursing is unparalleled, and her humility and grace combined with her astounding clinical skills are a huge asset to the organization.”