Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, CEO of Cornerstone VNA, has been named 2020 Nurse Leader by New Hampshire Magazine, in partnership with the New Hampshire Nurses Association for their annual Excellence in Nursing Awards. The winners were selected by an independent committee of nursing leaders from adjoining states. Each nurse honored for excellence represents the very best in nursing — those who go above and beyond to comfort, heal and teach.
In addition to her chief leadership role at Cornerstone VNA, Julie also serves as Vice President of the Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance of NH. After working for several years in a hospital, Reynolds transitioned to working in Homecare in 1986, when the need for skilled care at home was increasing. “This is where I found my passion,” she says. “I could see the results of my work and the benefits of patient education, care at home and the teamwork required for it,” she adds. “It was apparent that there was a learning gap in the Homecare industry, and this really drove me to learn more about it and share my knowledge with my peers. It’s very rewarding to be able to look back from then to now and see the amazing strides that we have made along the way.”
According to longtime Cornerstone VNA Board of Trustees member, Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, “Julie has invested in staff development to continually improve their knowledge and earn specialty certifications. This has led to improved patient outcomes and high employee satisfaction. She constantly challenges the team and has invested in technology that improves patient outcomes.
Fitzpatrick adds, “Julie is deeply committed to Cornerstone VNA as well as the home health care industry. She has met with political leaders in Washington to discuss the important issues facing home care organizations. She has demonstrated the passion and knowledge necessary to successfully lead a nonprofit organization in health care which is experiencing constant change and challenges.”
Read about the other award winners and the awards in the latest issue of New Hampshire Magazine here.