Kathy Moss’ dedication to innovation, her staff and VUMC patients led to her Five Pillar Leader Award. Photo by Susan Urmy
Kathy Moss knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a nurse.
She remembers the days when she and her sister spent hours practicing running a doctor’s office. Their dolls and stuffed animals served as patients.
Although caring for pretend patients was a favorite activity during playtime, Moss’ instinct for caregiving was real.
“In supporting our staff, I make sure they have the resources they need to do their jobs in taking care of our patients,” Moss said. “At Vanderbilt, we have so many opportunities to make a difference and to advance the quality of care. Our staff is truly an inspiration to me. Their ability, drive and passion to improve patient care are amazing.
“I was in the third grade and noticed my sister, who I used to pretend to be a nurse with, having trouble getting around,” recalled Moss. “She had fallen off her skateboard and couldn’t bend her knee. I would get chairs for her and help her in the bathroom.
“I was the youngest of six children, so it wasn’t as noticeable to my mother. It wasn’t until my sister went to the doctor for a cold that the doctor asked her to get up on the table and she couldn’t. That is when her fractured knee cap was discovered, she was placed in a cast from her ankle to her thigh, and I continued to assist my mother in her care.
“I always dreamed of being a nurse.”
Today Moss, RN, MSN, MBA, NEA-BC is the administrative director for Nursing in the Medical Specialty Clinics, Respiratory Care, Wound Ostomy and Special Projects at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is responsible for more than 200 nurses and therapists to ensure nursing and respiratory care practice in these areas meets standards that provide quality patient care.
And although her role is administrative, the focus of her job continues to be patient care. It is her dedication to patients that led to being named the Five Pillar Leader Award recipient at the May Clinical Enterprise Leadership Assembly.
The Five Pillar Leader Award recognizes exceptional leaders who consistently model a balanced approach to leadership across the five pillars of excellence with a focus on people, service, quality, growth and finance, and innovation. The recipients of the award also exhibit the Credo behavior that is based on a service of excellence across the Medical Center.
Moss’ nomination highlighted her work with EpicLeap and the launch of eStar, the new computer system that supports the health system’s electronic health records, workflows for inpatient and outpatient care delivery, test ordering, billing and other hospital and clinic operations. As the transition of information into the newest medical records system was underway, Moss was the operational lead for efforts to upload existing information in the patient medical records that did not systematically transfer.
“Kathy provided leadership on the EpicLeap project in a variety of capacities,” said Neal Patel, MD, MPH, Chief Health Information Officer. “As the project evolved, Kathy was a steady go-to resource who would advocate for the frontline nurses. She went beyond what was expected and this dedication and commitment reduced anxiety for many of those impacted and the risk of unintended outcomes throughout VUMC.”
Moss was also recognized for her impact as a leader as well as her attention to quality detail.
“Many have commented that Kathy is effective in making sure the best operational decision is made and that she is proactive in making sure that the needs of patients and families are forefront,” a comment on her nomination form said.
Although her role is administrative, the focus of her job continues to be patient care.
“In supporting our staff, I make sure they have the resources they need to do their jobs in taking care of our patients,” Moss said. “At Vanderbilt, we have so many opportunities to make a difference and to advance the quality of care. Our staff is truly an inspiration to me. Their ability, drive and passion to improve patient care are amazing.
“I am a nurse leader who advocates for the patient and supports the incredible nurses, respiratory therapists, and other staff who take care of them.”
To place a nomination for an Elevate Credo Award, Five Pillar Leader Award, or Team Award, visit the Elevate website to fill out a nomination form. Employees demonstrate credo behaviors when: they make those they serve the highest priority; respect privacy and confidentiality; communicate effectively; conduct themselves professionally; have a sense of ownership; and are committed to their colleagues. Elevate award nominations are accepted year round. If a nomination is received after the cutoff for quarterly award selection, the nomination will be considered for the next quarter. VUMC Voice will post stories on each of the award winners in the weeks following their announcement.
