Speare Memorial Hospital - Press Releases




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Speare Memorial Hospital (603) 536-1120
June 20, 2006
Speare Memorial Hospital Hires New Chief Nursing Officer

PLYMOUTH, N.H. --- Speare Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Beverley Rankin, RN, MSA, CNA, as it new chief nursing officer (CNO). Michelle McEwen, president and CEO of Speare Memorial Hospital, announced Rankin’s appointment at the June meeting of the hospital’s board of directors.

“Beverley has nursing management experience at both large and small community hospitals, as well as experience from multiple nursing units,” notes McEwen. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position which is a vital component of our clinical team at Speare.”

	Rankin has over 15 years experience as a nurse manager, and served most recently as the administrative leader for medical and oncology nursing at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, Vt. She says it is based on her management experience, and the relationship she has had with her chief nursing officers in the past, that she felt ready to accept the position of CNO at Speare.

“I’ve known for a while that I wanted to be a chief nursing officer, and both the position at, and location of, Speare seemed to be the right fit at the right time,” says Rankin. “I like how progressive and well abreast of current healthcare issues the hospital is, particularly in its use of technology. I was also attracted by how positive, focused, forward thinking and upbeat the staff is.”

Rankin describes her new position as having ultimate accountability for nursing care at Speare Memorial Hospital. Her goal is to have nurses be their best and do so in a caring fashion, while ensuring they have the necessary training, development and equipment to support a high quality patient care experience.

“The CNO is responsible for all of the nursing care provided in the hospital,” affirms McEwen. “She is responsible for ensuring that quality nursing care is provided, that nursing practices at Speare are kept up to current standards, and that the operations of the nursing departments are efficient and effective in delivering timely and accurate patient care in cooperation with patients’ physicians.”

Because the CNO position had been vacant for a year, there has been a need for both systems and staff development, and why Rankin feels her background and experience is such a good fit. She says, “One of my strengths is guiding new managers, helping them advance in and master their positions. It is an opportunity for me to share my love of nursing; to grow and develop a strong leadership team.”

“Nursing is such a phenomenal career,” Rankin continues. “It is a huge privilege to be a part of someone’s life during the most traumatic times and provide them with care and compassion.”

Rankin grew up north of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, and received her bachelor’s in nursing from McGill University. She recently graduated from St. Michael’s College with her Master of Science in Administration degree. Her background is in labor and delivery, with the majority of her career having been spent in women’s and children’s healthcare. Rankin and her husband, David, have three children: Matthew, 17, Michael, 14 and daughter Shauna, 11.

Speare Memorial Hospital is a 24-hour, acute care, non-profit community hospital and health care provider serving Plymouth, and the communities of central New Hampshire, for more than a century.

Michele Barney Hutchins MBHCommunications michele@mbhcommunications.com (603) 254-9161