The American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Commission on the Pathway to Excellence® Program recently elected Ellarene Duis Sanders, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, as chair of the commission.
Dr. Sanders is currently the director of clinical services for Preferred Management Corporation based in Shawnee, OK. She has extensive experience in direct care, management, education, and executive positions. She has a demonstrated background as a consultant for development of nursing excellence and for increasing nursing satisfaction for direct care nurses. Dr. Sanders has a special interest in collaboration to create sustainable excellent work environments for direct care nurses, which lead to improved patient outcomes.
Dr. Sanders holds an ANCC certification as a Nurse Executive-Advanced. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in nursing and an MSN from University of Texas Medical Branch. Additionally, she has a BSN from Northwestern State University and an Associate of Science in nursing from the University of Nebraska.
The Commission on the Pathway to Excellence Program is responsible for governing program activities, specifically:
- Approve Pathway to Excellence Program criteria, policies, and guidelines based on standards established by the American Nurses Association and research
- Set standards and qualification of program reviewers
- Establish mechanisms to solicit, select, and train reviewers
- Make final decisions regarding the awarding of Pathway to Excellence recognition
- Develop and propose a budget to the board to accomplish the goals of the Pathway to Excellence Program
- Oversee the appeals process for the program
- Provide a mechanism for the systematic review and evaluation of the Pathway to Excellence Program