More than two hundred people, including many nurses from around Maryland, joined Sinai Hospital of Baltimore recently for the inaugural “Distinguished Nursing Lecture.” This annual event begins an exciting new chapter in Sinai’s storied tradition of medical education, including a focus on clinical excellence and commitment to the advancement of nurses.

The inaugural lecture focused on evidence-based practice, moving from knowledge to application. The keynote speaker was Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP/PMHNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, a nationally and internationally recognized expert in evidence-based practice, interventional research, child and adolescent mental health, and health and wellness.

Dr. Melnyk spoke about why using evidence, not just hunches, is crucial to providing the best care for patients, the best care for care givers themselves and the best results as hospitals try to achieve the “Quadruple Aim” – a concept in health care about enhancing quality while reducing costs and improving the health of people in a community (Population Health), as well as a newly added fourth arm looking at taking care of the providers themselves by improving their work life to avoid burn out. Dr. Melnyk’s shared personal anecdotes that connected with audience members, making these potentially dry topics more relatable and even humorous. She also provided strategies to help hospitals achieve these goals.

This annual lecture is made possible through the generosity of Mary S. Tilbury, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, a former Sinai board member and national leader in nursing administration education. Dr. Tilbury also played a significant role in the creation and establishment of the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program® The program is also recognized by Magnet.

Sinai Hospital is a 520-bed medical complex in North Baltimore with a mission to maintain and improve the health of people in its community by providing quality medical services in a caring environment.

Sinai Hospital is part of LifeBridge Health, one of the largest and most comprehensive health care providers in Maryland. In addition to Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, LifeBridge Health is comprised of Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, and its related subsidiaries and affiliates.