At Tufts Medical Center, our professional nurses work side by side with physicians and colleagues to provide a continuity of care that enhances patients’ outcomes. Whether you are expecting a baby, undergoing surgery, managing a chronic condition or anything in between, we build a lasting relationship with you, identify your needs and advocate for your health. We work in a variety of specialties throughout the hospital to deliver evidence-based care that puts patients and their families first.
Overview
Patient- and family- centered care
Patient-family-centered care is the foundation for the design and delivery of care at Tufts Medical Center. We are committed to partnering with patients and families to assure we meet and exceed their healthcare needs. A major initiative that formally launched in 2012 was our model for shared governance or shared decision making across Patient Care Services. We recognize that incorporating the needs, perspective and expertise of each member of the health care team strengthens our organization.
Focused on quality and safety
We also benefit from closely examining factors that affect Quality and Safety. Learning from mistakes and being accountable for performance in an environment free from blame are key elements in ensuring safety and a fair and just culture. We routinely review our performance and share it with others. This transparency is an essential demonstration of our commitment for excellence.
Tufts Medical Center is recognized by the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® for excellence in nursing.
Tufts Medical Center is recognized by the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® for excellence in nursing. Magnet® recognition is the highest and most prestigious credential a health care organization can achieve for nursing excellence and quality patient care. Magnet® recognition signals to nurses that the organization is committed to nursing.
Care across the healthcare continuum
Lastly, we understand that care doesn’t end once you leave Tufts Medical Center. That’s why our nurses partner with you and your family to help manage medications, educate you about your health and assist you in succeeding in caring for yourself at home. With a large number of baccalaureate- and master’s-trained nurses providing care at your bedside and beyond, you can rest assured that your health is in experienced hands.
About us
The members of the Department of Nursing work side-by-side with physicians and other health professionals to serve the patients of Tufts Medical Center and the Tufts Medical Center. Our department strives to fulfill its vision of exemplary practice, innovation, scholarship and leadership by providing exceptional patient-centered care, partnering with both patients and practitioners, standing at the forefront of clinical research and training the next generation of nurses. We are inspired by our guiding principles:
- The nurse, as a partner and a leader within the healthcare team, ensures integration of care
- Teamwork by leveraging the strengths of diverse individuals
- A highly reliable organization that embraces professional practice and a zero defect culture
- Shared leadership that fosters empowerment and participation by all
- A spirit of inquiry and commitment to evidence-based practice and nursing research which contributes to the nursing community
- Exceptional performance in quality, satisfaction and cost through accountability and transparency
- Resolute advocacy for patients and families
Led by Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services, Terry Hudson-Jinks, the department boasts a wide variety of highly skilled nurses who have been trained to work in different specialties, including adult medicine, pediatrics, critical care, surgery and more. We draw on the resources and multidisciplinary expertise afforded by our location in a major academic medical center, while providing you with the compassionate, patient-centered care you expect from a smaller community practice.
Nurse Executive Team
Therese Hudson-Jinks, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer
Chief Experience Officer, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services
Terry has spent her entire career serving the patients, families and community of Tufts Medical Center and in 2018, served as interim co-president and CEO. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she is driven to execute the vision of providing excellence in patient and family care, clinical knowledge, development and innovation in practices. Together with executives and clinical leaders, she collaborates in the design, and evaluation of patient care and services. She has clinical and operational oversight over Nursing Services, key departments within Patient Care Services and as the Chief Experience Officer, is accountable for driving patient and family focused care.
Terry is a long-standing member of the Tufts Medical Center leadership team, and is an advocate for highly reliable systems, ensuring safe patient care delivery. She is an active voice for patient safety and the role of nursing. A board member on the MA Coalition - Prevent Medical Errors, and Massachusetts Health and Hospitals Association, MHA, Terry is a past president (2017-2020) of the Organization of Nursing Leaders and is the recipient of the Organization of Nurse Leadership - 2020 Mary B. Conceison Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership.
Terry received her BSN in Nursing and a B.S. in Biology from Simmons College, and a Masters in Nursing Administration from Salem State College. Currently, she is a candidate within the Executive Leadership Doctorate Nursing Practice Program at Duke University.
Diane Peterson, MSN, RN, FNP-BC
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Critical Care and Cardiovascular Center Inpatient, Ambulatory and Procedural Labs
Diane obtained a Master's in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts, Boston as a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She has more than 15 years of progressive nursing leadership experience and has held many roles during her 25 years at Tufts Medical Center serving our patients and families. Diane specializes in the recruitment and retention of high performing teams, the building of collaborative interprofessional relationships, and the achievement of high-quality outcomes in areas of care delivery, staff engagement, and patient satisfaction. Diane is passionate about fostering a culture of patient safety and together with interprofessional teams, she has supported the growth of Critical Care and the Cardiovascular Center.
Julie Sherman, MSN, RN
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Cancer Center, and Medical Surgical
Julie has been a nurse and leader at Tufts Medical Center since 1990. She earned her Master’s in Nursing from Chamberlain University. Her interests are Lean Methodology in Healthcare, improving patient experience, advancing nurse leaders and staff engagement.
Rhodora Reynado MSN, MBA, MSE, RN
Director, Finance Operations
Rhodora has been a member of the Nurse Executive team at Tufts Medical Center since 2009. She previously held positions at Boston Medical Center and Detroit Medical Center. She is experienced in providing leadership and expertise on finance, staffing and scheduling, data analytics, and information management to Patient Care Services.
Rhodora has developed and managed productivity monitoring systems as well as budget development and monitoring tools. She has received advanced degrees in Business Administration and Industrial Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan, and her Master of Science In Nursing from Wayne State University.
Gina Wakelin, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CEN, NREMT-P
Sr. Director Emergency Services, Clinical Operations
Melissa Culkins, MSN, RN
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Inpatient Capacity and Clinical Operations
Amy Lund MSN, RN, NE-BC, PCCN
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Magnet Program Director
Monica Tucker-Schwartz, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Executive Director, Ambulatory Nursing
Mary Jo Pedulla, MS, RN, NE-BC
Executive Director, OB/GYN/NICU Services
Are you one of us?
The acuity and case diversity of patients at Tufts Medical Center allows nurses the opportunity to grow and challenge themselves throughout their career.