UVM HEALTH NETWORK —CVPH MAGNET PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Hometown: West Chazy, NY
Age: 33
Education: Northeastern Clinton Central School, Clinton Community College, and Plattsburgh State University.
Tara Ebere is living her dream job. She is an inspiring role model for achieving a viable, quality career path completely in the North Country. Tara graduated from Northeastern Clinton Central School, received an Associate of Science in Nursing from Clinton Community College, secured a job immediately out of college at CVPH, and pursued her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Plattsburgh State University. Her fourteen year career at UVM Health Network at CVPH led to her current role where she is leading the organization to qualify for Magnet® designation. Only 475 of the 5,534 registered hospitals (8.6%) in the United States have become Magnet® organizations which recognizes the invaluable potential of nurses to lead healthcare change.
What are you doing to make a difference in your community?
By going out to local schools of nursing discussing with the students the importance of professional practice, positive patient outcomes, and educating them about the importance of nursing research and what Magnet designation means to our patients and our community. Nurses who work at Magnet organizations will become the pioneers and innovators for the future of healthcare delivery.
What’s the single most important characteristic for success?
Taking risks no matter how scary it may seem. When you begin to feel uncomfortable you are stretching yourself and growing in your role regardless of what it is, personally or professionally.
What’s the most exciting trend happening in the community?
The revitalization of downtown Plattsburgh. My family and I take advantage of any time that we can go by the waterfront, walk or ride our bikes on the paths, eat at local restaurants, or attend productions at the Strand Theatre. The Community Health Assessment identified promoting a healthy and safe environment as one of the top priorities. The emphasis on staying active is important for every member of the community. I recently worked with a team at the hospital to create a walking trail map on campus that outlines three different paths with associated distance values to assist employees or visitors to utilize to encourage activity.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Accepting the position I am currently in. The position did not exist before and there were a lot of unknowns related to the work that needed to be done. I didn’t have another person that I worked with to show me how to do the work that needed to be accomplished. On the other hand it allowed me so much freedom and flexibility to create as time went on. I researched information and learned on behalf of the organization what Magnet designation entails and what we as an organization would need to do to get there.