Message From the CNO and CCO Who We Are Awards and Recognition Interprofessional Collaboration Community Outreach Nursing Events Transformational Leadership, “Elevating the Voice of the Nurse”

Message From the Chief Nursing Officer

A look back on the year gives us time to take a deep breath and focus on what matters most — our people and our patients. I continue to be incredibly grateful for the passion that is brought to work every day and the commitment to care for our patients and each other. A quote that grounds me is, "The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for." I continue to be so thankful and grateful for nursing and our entire team at Froedtert Hospital.

We had many notable achievements in 2024. All ICUs received or were submitted for Beacon awards, all sources of evidence were solidified to submit for our fifth Magnet designation, Vizient top decile for quality was maintained, a South Region resource management team was created and so much more. A large focus in 2024 was on recognition and how to enhance it to better retain our teams. Key areas of focus have been the increase of DAISY award honorees as we have tripled our nominations in the past year, the introduction of a new nursing recognition event where award nominees can bring a loved one to share in their achievement, and the rollout of meaningful milestones as we focus on how to recognize our tenured team members. Along with this, we continue to infuse joy in the workplace with our leadership teams and leverage ways to practice gratitude while supporting our teams in all areas nursing is practiced. We now have over 650 peer supporters and counting.

As we step into 2025, let’s do so with confidence, determination and continued focus on teamwork to drive our ongoing progress. We will continue to move forward with our nursing strategic plan with an emphasis on nursing professional shared governance to ensure that clinical nurses’ voices are heard and incorporated in decisions that will impact our environment and practice. The use of technology, evidence-based care and enhancements to workplace safety will make it easier for us to do what we do best, which is to provide the most amazing care to patients. It is only with psychological safety, stopping things that no longer make sense and engaging teams, that we will continue to move forward.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and compassion. I am proud and truly honored to serve as your CNO, leading a talented and dedicated team that is committed to our people and our patients. With gratitude and thankfulness,

Paula Schmidt, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC 
Chief Nursing Officer 
Vice President, Patient Care Services

Message From the Chief Clinical Officer

Each year, this report reminds me of what truly makes Froedtert Hospital so exceptional: the extraordinary dedication, skill and compassion demonstrated by our nursing teams. It showcases how our nurses consistently set the standard for clinical excellence, deliver outstanding care to our community and contribute to advancing our academic mission.

The challenges of delivering health care grow more complex each year. As a destination center for the state and region’s most complex patients, Froedtert Hospital shoulders a significant share of these challenges. Yet, it remains a profound source of pride for all our teams — especially our nurses — that we consistently deliver care that is safe, reliable and patient-centered. Our continued ranking in the top 10 nationally for quality is a testament to the exceptional outcomes we achieve. Our outcomes are the envy of other academic medical centers across the country. Paula and I hear this firsthand in conversations with our peers throughout the year.

Your commitment to quality is reflected not only in exceptional clinical outcomes but also in the trust and gratitude of the patients and families we serve. You have been unwavering leaders in enhancing safety, innovating care delivery and ensuring equitable access to health services for all.

Beyond the bedside, our nurses are trailblazers in research and education, collaborating across disciplines to discover innovative solutions to complex health challenges. Your contributions to evidence-based practice and knowledge dissemination improve care locally and create a ripple effect nationwide. Through mentorship, teaching and professional development, you are shaping the next generation of health care leaders and advancing our mission of academic excellence.

To our nursing teams: Thank you for the unparalleled compassion, expertise and resilience you bring to our institution every day. Your unwavering dedication defines us and enables us to fulfill our promise to our community and beyond.

Ian Schwartz, MD 
Chief Clinical Officer 
Sr. Associate Dean, Quality, Medical College of Wisconsin