Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
Donna Crimmins-Bonnell realizes that perfection is impossible, but that hasn’t stopped the Arlington nurse from inspiring peers to pursue that ideal. “I live by the Vince Lombardi quote, ‘Perfection is unobtainable; however, in chasing it, we can catch excellence,’” says Crimmins-Bonnell, director of quality service with Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. When her father died at age 46, the nurse, then 26, used the experience to help inspire a selfless career. “I lost my father … to medical error, which gave me the drive and passion to be a strong patient-safety advocate and take care of those who can’t speak for themselves. This is my way of honoring my father and helping others.” With 38 years in nursing, Crimmins-Bonnell gained critical-care experience before serving leadership roles in several hospital systems. At Methodist Mansfield, she helped lead the effort for the facility to be named among the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide for quality and patient satisfaction as determined by HealthGrades, an independent health-care ratings organization. The facility also achieved a top “A” safety grade for quality measures by Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit agency dedicated to improving safety, quality and affordability of health care for Americans. Crimmins-Bonnell also helped the hospital achieve the Women’s Choice Award for Best Heart Care, and a Texas Health Care Quality Improvement Silver Award for undertaking initiatives to improve outcomes in patient care and improved processes related to national quality measures as well as Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers scores. When not mentoring nurses individually or in teams, she volunteers for Meals on Wheels, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, among other organizations. She also serves on the Dallas/Fort Worth Hospital Council’s Patient Safety and Quality Committee. What drew you to the health care field? From very early age, I knew I would be in health care. I always wanted to be a nurse, never thought of doing anything else. I have a passion for being a patient advocate and always doing the right thing for the patient and their families. Who is your biggest inspiration? My father was my biggest inspiration. He instilled in me a drive and determination to go the distance, always do the right thing and never give up on your dreams. I owe my sense of achievement and integrity to him. What is your advice for people getting into the health care field? Go for it! It is very worthwhile and rewarding work and makes a difference in the community and world in which we live. Your career will take you as far as you wish; there are no limits. – A. Lee Graham