I am delighted to offer a well-deserved congratulations to the staff and leadership of Mary Washington Hospital for their recent designation as a "magnet hospital."

This designation is formal confirmation of something the local and regional community have well known--that MWH is a hospital that delivers on its promise to the community.

Mary Washington Hospital and Germanna Community College have enjoyed a legacy of service through our partnership in the education and professional development of nurses.

We have witnessed many of our graduates choose to continue to serve at Mary Washington beyond their educational and clinical experiences there.

We hope this trend will continue with our nurse alumni, as well as recent and future nursing graduates.

Mary Washington Hospital states that its mission is to improve the health of all people within the community, and deliver evidence-based, timely, compassionate, and patient-centered care. Mission accomplished.

Congratulations!

Mary Blessing Gilkey

Orange

The writer is dean of nursing and health technologies at Germanna Community College.