Jupiter Medical Center will add the Nurses Improving Care of Healthsystem Elders (NICHE), an international nursing education program, to its in-depth training for health care staff. Thanks to a generous gift from the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, the Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Baily Geriatric Nursing Program will provide resources and education for interdisciplinary teams.
“NICHE is centered on improving the healthcare of elderly patients by creating, translating and disseminating knowledge through education and research,” said Dr. Amit Rastogi, president and CEO of Jupiter Medical Center. “This certified program results in improved clinical outcomes, enhanced nursing competencies, and greater patient and family satisfaction.”
To implement the program, Jupiter Medical Center hired geriatric nurse practitioner Dr. Jill M. Shutes, DNP, APRN, GNP-BC. As the geriatric clinical coordinator, Shutes oversees the care of acute and chronically ill patients and educates clinical teams on best practices, including head-to-toe evaluations of patients suffering from cognitive decline, tele-health, rapid response, advance directive procedures, and fall prevention.
“Adding a geriatric clinical coordinator to our team could not have come at a better time,” said Rastogi. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our healthcare workers, and Shutes has been an integral part of improving the ways we care for our elderly patients and communicate with their families who are unable to be with them due to current visitation policies.”
Shutes has more than 20 years of experience working in long-term care, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. She has served as a research associate at Florida Atlantic University and as an assistant professor of nursing in Palm Beach Atlantic University’s graduate nursing program.
“The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation is devoted to providing philanthropic support to the Jupiter community,” said a Bailey Foundation representative. “We seek initiatives that teach, inspire, engage and help to make our world better. Jupiter Medical Center’s dedication to geriatric care inspired us to support this program in eldercare education.”
Shutes’ work is also made possible by the Zidek Family Foundation–the late Milo Zidek, wife Mary, and children Laura and Brian–through the Zidek Family Geriatric Education Fund.
“The Zidek Family Foundation is pleased to support Jupiter Medical Center’s excellent NICHE program,” said a Zidek Family Foundation representative.
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