Our Nurse Planner: Susan "Suzy" Scott-Williams MSN, RN, CWOCN
Suzy is currently the Surgical QI/Research Liaison nurse for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Memphis, TN. She is involved in performance improvement, integrating evidence-based best practices into surgical patient care to improve outcomes. As a board certified wound, ostomy, continence nurse for over twenty years her expertise involves prevention of pressure ulcers (PrU) particularly in the operating room and acute care.
She is an International lecturer, author, researcher, expert and mentor in perioperative pressure ulcer prevention. She was interviewed by Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as part of their 5 million lives campaign for her role in pressure ulcer prevention. She was the keynote speaker for the Perioperative College of Nurses in Auckland, New Zealand in 2004. Scott has presented numerous research lectures and posters at National and Regional Conferences including the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN), WOCN, and the Symposium on Advances in Wound Care. She was named Southeast Region WOCN "Research Nurse of the Year."
As past-president of TNA District 1 Suzy was the recipient of the 2007 TNA Alma E. Gault Leadership Award that recognizes a member of TNA who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities in all dimensions of nursing practice. She is active in the "High Risk Foot clinic" caring for diabetic foot ulcers. She recently completed the (DEMPS) Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System training as a volunteer for wound care.
Suzy was recognized by the American Academy of Nurses in the Raise the Voice Campaign. As part of the campaign, the Academy is showcasing stories of nurse "Edge Runners" - the practical innovators who are transforming America's health care system through nursing solutions. The "Perioperative Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program (PPUPP): An innovative effort to prevent pressure ulcers in surgical patients" showcases the Memphis VA nursing research and aggressive approach to improving patient safety and outcomes.
