Mt. Vernon, IL – SSM Health in Southern Illinois has named Tammy Jackson, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). Jackson will have overall responsibility and accountability for nursing operations within the organization.
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Jackson has more than 15 years of nursing leadership experience with healthcare systems focused on safety, quality, and exceptional patient experiences. She has led many initiatives and created programs in support of improving culture, leadership development, and employee engagement. Jackson began her career with SSM Health DePaul Hospital in August 2009, and is excited to rejoin SSM Health in Southern Illinois.
Jackson reflected on the reason she chose to pursue a career in patient care. As she reminisced, Jackson noted a moment in time that influenced her outlook on healthcare, “20 years ago, I lost one of my best friends—my grandmother. I was in nursing school at the time and during my grandma’s final hours, I remember watching the nurses care for her,” said Jackson.
Jackson goes on to explain, “I remember the compassion shown—the way they gently turned her, bathed her, and touched her hand. The way they bowed their heads in those final moments, respected our need to have some time with her and even hugged us as we walked from her room for the last time. I vowed in that moment that I would always treat my patients the way my grandmother was treated—with compassion, empathy, dignity, and respect.”
“I believe that we are given an opportunity every day to make a difference in the lives of those around us. I take pride in knowing that I work for a patient-centered, mission driven organization that aligns with my personal ‘why,’” said Jackson as she expressed her excitement to be joining the team in Southern Illinois. “I am honored to have been chosen as the CNO for SSM Health in Southern Illinois and I look forward to working with this amazing group of individuals who are committed to ensuring exceptional, quality care for the communities and people we serve and continuing the healing legacy that was started over 150 years ago.”
SSM Health extends their gratitude to Jane Ritter who has served as interim Vice President of patient Care Services/CNO since June 2022 for all her contributions and for leading several initiatives in support of nursing and patient satisfaction.
About SSM Health Illinois
SSM Health Illinois is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across southern Illinois through a robust and fully integrated health care delivery system. The organization’s 1,000 team members and more than 100 providers are committed to providing exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.
With care delivery sites in Benton, Centralia, Mt. Vernon, Nashville, and Salem, SSM Health Illinois includes 2 hospitals, more than 43 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, comprehensive home care and hospice services, and an intensive outpatient adult behavioral health program. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves.
