CNO Corner – A conversation with Margaret Duffy

When Margaret Duffy, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, started her Northwell Health career, it was as the senior administrative director for Nursing Education of Professional Development and Research at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). It was there where her skills and responsibilities grew as she also served as senior leadership for obstetrics and perinatal services.

In 2019, she was selected as the Chief Nursing Officer and Associate Executive Director of Patient Care Services at Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC). Margaret leads her team with the same compassion that they deliver to Northwell’s smallest patients at CCMC.

Read more in this CNO Corner interview with Margaret.

What makes working as a nurse in a pediatric hospital unique?

The nursing team at Cohen’s has the opportunity to practice in a setting that is dedicated to solely meeting the needs of children and their families.  Outstanding care is delivered with compassion and innovation.  The entire interdisciplinary team is focused on the child and their loved ones while providing care in a technologically advanced environment.

How have the CCMC nurses delivered exceptional and compassionate care during the COVID-19 outbreak?

I am so proud of the dedication and professionalism exhibited by the CCMC nurses throughout this ongoing pandemic. In response to the pandemic, several units within Cohen’s were converted to the care of adult patients. While caring for our own pediatric COVID population, many of our nurses supported their LIJ Medical Center (LIJMC) colleagues in the care of adult patients either here at Cohen’s or by taking assignments at LIJMC, LIJ Valley Stream Hospital and LIJ Forest Hills Hospital. In fact, some nurses volunteered to be completely redeployed at the height of the surge, working outside of their comfort zone and selflessly meeting the need for nursing care that they observed firsthand in these adult critical care units.

What exciting nursing initiatives are planned for 2020/2021 at CCMC?

Since 2016, CCMC has been a Magnet recognized facility and we are currently on our journey to redesignation.  We are proud to share that our written document scored in the excellence category and we are going straight to a “virtual” site visit! We hope to be celebrating our Magnet redesignation by the end of the year.

How will the opening of the pediatric operating rooms impact the hospital and future career opportunities for CCMC nurses?

In early 2021, CCMC will be entering a new era with the opening of eight brand new operating rooms and a 27 bay pre-op and post-op combined recovery unit.  As a Level 1 pediatric trauma center verified by the American College of Surgeons and ranking nine out of 10 specialties nationally by U.S. News & World Report, this expansion will give Cohen’s the opportunity to focus on the perioperative needs of children within the footprint of the children’s hospital.  With this expansion, we have career opportunities in all areas of perioperative services for nurses interested in joining our pediatric surgical team.  Operating Room fellowships are planned throughout the year for those interested candidates without perioperative experience.

How does CCMC support team growth and development?

Here at Cohen’s we are committed to creating an environment where our nurses can thrive professionally.  Our master’s-prepared pediatric/neonatal educators are dedicated to providing frontline nurses with the education they need to excel in their roles.  Professional development is encouraged and supported through programs that include a Clinical Ladder program, which recognizes nurses for professional growth, on-site academic progression programs, certification preparation, a nurse residency program for new graduate nurses, and nursing mentorships.

What makes Northwell a great place to work?

For me that’s simple – it’s the people!  Northwell excels at identifying the best and the brightest to join our teams.  The strength of Northwell as a health system was never more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The depth and breadth of the support for the healthcare team at every level was awe inspiring.  On my daily rounds, many team members routinely expressed gratitude for having what they needed during this very challenging time.  It was no surprise that Northwell was named as one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”