D

Deb Block

Chief Nursing Officer with Stephens County Hospital

Toccoa, GA, US

About

30 plus years of nursing experience in the Maternal/Child service line. Past 20 years have been spent in management positions within the same service line. Transitioned to the CNO role in 2011 first as the interim and then as the permanent CNO for the facility. Remained in the role for 7 years during which we received two GHA patient safety awards, improved our CMS star rating from 4 to 5 stars, had two very successful TJC surveys with no findings for Nursing, obtained a Leap Frog safety score of "B" and obtained 4 stars for the Skilled Nursing Unit. Improved HCAHPS scores year over year to achieve results above the 85%tile top box. Remained as the CNO to help with the transition during a bankruptcy and sale to another healthcare entity. The local community continues to have a high quality organization available to meet their healthcare needs. Recruited to serve in an interim Nurse Manager role for a regional high risk Perinatal Center is Albany, GA. Improved lost charges, recruited and filled vacant positions, decreased agency utilization, assumed payroll functions, assisted with staff scheduling, facilitated a charge nurse development retreat and mentored a future nurse leader. Returning to the Phoebe Health System as the Director for the Women and Children’s service line. The division includes Labor and Delivery, high risk antepartum unit, Mother-baby unit, Level III NICU, pediatrics and GYN/Women’s unit. As a regional center, we also participate with the Perinatal Grant program for Georgia. Presently back in the executive nursing role as CNO for Stephens County Hospital. Working with a dynamic senior leadership and nurse leader team. Our goal is to continue serving the rural counties and communities around us Had the opportunity to work along side the Studer Group as a facility partner for 5 years. Familiar with Evidence-based Leadership principles, Specialties: Certification in Inpatient Obstetrics and Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certified in Executive Nursing Practice through AONE Member of AONE and AWHONN Author of two articles published on the Key Nurse Leaders website

Ask me about

Work experience

  1. December 2021 – present

    Stephen's County Hospital

    Chief Nursing Officer
  2. August 2018 – December 2021

    Phoebe Putney Health System

    Director, Women's and Children's Services
  3. April 2018 – June 2018

    Effingham Health System

    Chief Nursing Officer
  4. October 2017 – March 2018

    Phoebe Putney Health System

    Interim Nurse Manager for Labor and Delivery
  5. October 2017 – March 2018

    Aureus Medical Group

    Interim Nurse Manger
  6. October 2011 – September 2017

    Oconee Regional Medical Center

    Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer
  7. November 2007 – April 2013

    Oconee Regional Medical Center

    OB Nurse Manager
  8. February 1997 – November 2007

    Northwest Medical Center, Margate, Florida

    Director, Women's and Children's Services
  9. November 1994 – November 1996

    West Florida Regional Medical Center, Pensacola, Florida

    Director, Women's and Children's Services

Education

  1. 2016 – 2019

    Western Governors University

    Master's degree, Nursing Administration
  2. 2016 – 2017

    Western Governors University

    Bachelor's degree, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  3. 2005 – 2007

    Almeda University

    Master's degree, Health/Health Care Administration/Management
  4. 1978 – 1980

    The University of Memphis

    AD, Nursing
  5. 1972 – 1976

    Florida Technological University

    BA, English
  6. 1970 – 1972

    Maynard Evans High School

    high school diploma, Academics