Nursing Excellence at UHS

The tradition of nursing excellence in our communities dates back generations. Nursing training began in Greater Binghamton in 1894 at the Training School for Nurses of the Binghamton City Hospital, which was formally organized in 1896. In 1912, Dr. Charles S. Wilson formed the Wilson Hospital School of Nursing, which was registered in 1919. 

Like many hospitals of the era, both Binghamton City and Wilson hospitals relied on student nurses to help deliver patient care. Their responsibilities extended beyond bedside care and included preparing and serving meals, cleaning patient care spaces, sterilizing equipment and preparing medicinal solutions. In 1915, the Broome County Nurses Association formed to give nurses a voice in setting standards for patient care, nursing education, compensation and working conditions. 

As healthcare evolved, so did the nursing profession. Nurses expanded their roles as caregivers, patient advocates, leaders and educators. New career pathways emerged, including advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, allowing nurses to take on greater responsibilities and pursue specialized areas of care. 

Today, the healthcare industry is advancing at an unprecedented rate, and nurses have even greater opportunities to practice in a variety of roles and settings. Yet, the heart of nursing remains the same: saving and improving lives, promoting health, providing compassionate care and advocating for those in their care.

At UHS, that legacy continues. Our nursing teams are committed to excellence and innovation in patient care. In 2025, UHS launched its Journey to Magnet Recognition, the highest national honor for nursing excellence. The Magnet Journey at UHS empowers our nurses to take an active role in advancing patient care and provides professional development opportunities that allow nurses to continue to thrive in their careers. By investing in and supporting nurses, UHS is building on a proud tradition while shaping the future of healthcare for the communities we serve.

At UHS, our mission, vision and values guide every decision we make and every patient interaction. As a community-based healthcare system, we are committed to providing exceptional care while fostering a culture of compassion, respect, collaboration and innovation.

Our Mission

We improve the health of the communities we serve, through compassionate, dedicated caregivers delivering safe, effective, patient-centered care.

Our Vision

UHS, the region’s leading integrated healthcare system, will demonstrate exceptional value in the delivery of coordinated, patient-centered care.

Our Values

We are committed to the values of UHS, which we believe reflect those of the people and communities we serve. These values guide our actions and decisions.  We are committed to living by these values each and every day.

Our values are Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork and Innovation.

Compassion. We create a healthy and healing environment by instilling hope and practicing caring, kindness and empathy that comes from the heart.

Trust. We build empowered relationships based on safety, expertise, reliability and honesty.

Respect. We make everyone feel valued by listening and reacting promptly in a positive and courteous way.

Teamwork. We work together to provide an outstanding patient experience, embrace our unique perspectives, and support one another, UHS and the community we serve. 

Innovation. We drive sustainable change by being forward-looking, continuously learning and challenging ourselves.

Explore the achievements, outcomes and innovations that demonstrate UHS Nursing's commitment to excellence in patient care.

Read the 2025 UHS Nursing Highlights in the UHS System Annual Report.

UHS Nursing Professional Governance Model

The UHS Nursing Professional Governance Model places frontline nurses at the center of decision-making and professional practice. At its foundation are Unit Practice Councils (UPCs), which ensure staff nurses have a direct voice in shaping practice, improving patient care and advancing outcomes.

Nursing Congress serves as the central communication and coordination hub, connecting unit-based councils with hospital-wide initiatives and leadership priorities. Core councils focused on staffing, engagement, practice, professional development and quality address key aspects of nursing practice while promoting collaboration and shared accountability across the organization.

Additional councils, including leadership, informatics, research, management and executive nursing, provide strategic oversight and alignment. Guided by UHS values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork and Innovation, this model fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, professional growth and exceptional patient care.

UHS Hospitals has officially launched its Journey to Magnet® Recognition, reinforcing our commitment to nursing excellence, professional practice and outstanding patient outcomes. This important milestone reflects our dedication to empowering nurses, advancing evidence-based practice and creating an environment where nursing professionals can thrive.

UHS was also recognized as one of only 13 hospitals in New York State to receive funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, further validating our vision for nursing excellence and workforce development.

Nursing engagement continues to strengthen across UHS, with teams exceeding national benchmarks and fostering a culture of trust, professional pride and shared accountability.

A systemwide Nursing Professional Development Day further energized the workforce, bringing nurses together for learning, self-care and professional growth. Participants reported renewed inspiration, stronger connections with colleagues and a deeper commitment to the meaningful work they do every day. Nationally recognized speaker Donna Cardillo, RN, encouraged attendees to reconnect with their purpose and passion for nursing.

Nursing-led initiatives have contributed to meaningful improvements in patient experience across inpatient and outpatient settings while maintaining strong performance in key nurse-sensitive quality indicators.

UHS continues to outperform national benchmarks in important measures, including fall prevention, reflecting our commitment to providing safe, high-quality care. This work was further reinforced through collaboration with Press Ganey Chief Nursing Officer Jeffrey Doucette, who highlighted the critical connection between patient experience and the human experience of care.

UHS nurses are helping shape the future of healthcare through the strategic adoption of innovative technologies and care delivery models.

Recent efforts have included evaluating virtual nursing solutions and engaging with leading vendor partners to explore opportunities that enhance patient care, support nursing teams and improve the overall healthcare experience. These initiatives position UHS to deliver scalable, forward-thinking solutions that meet the evolving needs of patients and caregivers.

UHS nurses actively contribute to advancing the nursing profession through research and evidence-based practice.

Each year, nurses from across the system share their work through poster presentations and professional conferences, showcasing innovative projects, quality improvement initiatives and research findings that improve patient outcomes and strengthen the delivery of care.

Celebrating excellence is an important part of our nursing culture. UHS proudly recognizes nurses and care team members who exemplify compassion, professionalism and exceptional service through programs including:

• DAISY Awards
• Sunshine Awards
• Nursing Quality Champions

Learn more about our nursing recognition and award programs here.