Jeanell Rasmussen, RN, is stepping down as chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, Wash., according to an internal memo obtained by the Kitsap Sun.
Ms. Rasmussen is taking some "much-deserved time off after an intense few years before pursuing new opportunities" and will be with the hospital until June 2, St. Michael Medical Center President Chad Melton told staff in April, according to the newspaper.
St. Michael Medical Center is part of Tacoma, Wash.-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, which is affiliated with Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health.
Ms. Rasmussen joined the hospital in 2013. Bremerton, Wash.-based Harrison Medical Center changed its name to St. Michael Medical Center in 2020.
"Jeanell has been pivotal to St. Michael Medical Center, always going above and beyond her patient obligations to ensure our team members feel supported, empowered, and core to our facility's success," Mr. Melton wrote, according to the Kitsap Sun. "From her first week at Harrison Medical Center, Jeanell hit the ground running to ensure a smooth integration with CHI Franciscan, including leading the integration of human resources, finance, risk, spiritual care, and lab services."
He added: "Despite her many professional accomplishments, Jeanell is most proud to have empowered team members to recognize their strengths, pull together, and execute outstanding patient outcomes."
Ms. Rasmussen's departure comes as St. Michael Medical Center has regained compliance with CMS regulations. In 2022, a nurse at the hospital called local fire and rescue workers to ask for help in the overcrowded emergency room, and CMS found it was not in compliance in several areas related to health and safety.
St. Michael Medical Center has selected Rosalie "Rosie" Apalisok, BSN, RN, to serve as interim chief nursing officer, Mr. Melton said, according to the Kitsap Sun.