Local Nurse Honored by Peers

Barbara Charles was recently honored for Excellence in Nurse Leadership at the 2016 New Mexico Nursing Excellence Awards. Charles is the Cardiology Service Line Director and Chest Pain Center Coordinator at San Juan Regional Medical Center and San Juan Regional Heart Center.

From San Juan Regional Medical Center:

                 San Juan Regional Medical Center is proud to announce that Barbara Charles was recently honored for Excellence in Nurse Leadership at the 2016 New Mexico Nursing Excellence Awards. Charles is the Cardiology Service Line Director and Chest Pain Center Coordinator at San Juan Regional Medical Center and San Juan Regional Heart Center.

                Charles’ distinguished career in nursing began in 1994 when she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She was a member of the ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) during college and served on active duty for six years following graduation. During that time, she served at two different Army hospital posts, becoming assistant head nurse.

                She began her career in the private healthcare industry as the director of a 40-bed medical/surgical unit in Missouri. Just three weeks after starting, she found herself covering cardiac services as well, and was promoted to the Director of Cardiovascular Services a year later.

                Charles moved to Farmington in 2002, when she accepted a position as Manager of the Medical Unit at San Juan Regional Medical Center. In her nearly 15 years with the organization, Charles has served as Chair of the New Tower Team during the hospital’s major expansion; was promoted to Cardiac Patient Care Services Manager in 2006; and to Cardiology Service Line Director in 2012.

                Under her guidance and perseverance, San Juan Regional Medical Center’s cardiology staff has gone from zero to 15 providers, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, cardiologists and pulmonologists. San Juan Regional Heart Center has also expanded its services into Southern Colorado and Aztec while continuing to serve patients at its busy practice in Farmington.

                Educating the community about heart care is a true passion and calling for Charles. In 2009, she helped develop and launch “A Fair of the Heart” community health fair and “Goosebump Race.” The successful event is held annually during February’s National Heart Month. In 2011, she helped launch a free adolescent cardiac screening program to provide EKGs to student athletes to screen for uncommon and silent causes of cardiac death. She also received a national honor from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care in April 2016 for excellence in Early Heart Attack Care education.

                Charles directed the launch of a regional outreach for STEMI heart attack alerts with a one call referral line and helped San Juan Regional Medical Center become one of only four accredited Chest Pain Centers with Primary PCI in New Mexico this year. Under her leadership, the hospital was honored this year with two Mission: Lifeline Gold Recognition Awards from the American Heart Association for implementing a high quality heart attack care program for patients who experience severe heart attacks.

                Charles received her recognition from the New Mexico Chapter for Nursing Excellence on October 29 at an awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa. A total of 174 nominees were submitted for this year’s Nursing Excellence Awards.