of the Year

Jennifer Fox, MSHCM, RN, CPN
Nurse Manager, 9N Pediatric Acute Care Medical
Manager: Ruby Jason
Jenn began at OHSU as a new nursing graduate. A natural
leader, she has transitioned through the roles of charge
nurse, nursing practice education coordinator, and now
serves 9N as nurse manager.
The recent fire event in Doernbecher, which garnered
“As a person who has grown up at OHSU (staff nurse,
national attention, was a prime example of Jenn’s leadership educator, NPEC, manager) being a manager has been
and capability. She was there on a Saturday to make sure an the most challenging experience of my career so
employee received their evaluation. Because she was there, far. Though it is a roller coaster, the highs are so
she was one of the responders, bringing the patient to the rewarding. During the lows, it is truly the team I work
floor, rolling out the flames and getting the patient the help with every day that keeps me going. I am so proud to
she needed. She then saw to the safety of her staff and the say I am a part of the PACM team. As a manager, my
emotional toll this had on everyone there. She talked to
role is to help move the team forward. I don’t pick
parents, called the appropriate hospital administrator staff, the direction; I guide the team along the path, so we
provided counseling and comfort opportunities and did not never get stuck.” Jennifer Fox
leave until she was sure that every staff member was ok. In
the ensuing days with the media attention, the fire marshal’s inspections, and the CMS survey Jenn’s openness and
leadership were cited over and over as being a major source of evidence that the staff did all they could to prevent this
injury from becoming worse. She never lost her confidence in her staff, in their abilities, and in their intent to care for this
patient and all the other patients on 9N.
But one incident does not make a leader: Jenn continually shows her leadership and managerial expertise. Other
departments in the hospital seek her out to be a member of their committees due to her balanced approach, her clinical
expertise and in her expertise in Epic documentation issues. Her passion for the patients, her passion for the staff and
The Management category is described as “a nurse who demonstrates exceptional management of nursing or patient care
services in any setting. This nurse manages the role and application to ensure that practice standards are upheld and that
the environment is designed to support the nursing professional role and nursing practice."