Hospital’s leadership program improves staff engagement, patient care

University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood, Ohio, implemented a hybrid-style, multidisciplinary leadership development program to align leaders on purpose, connection and accountability, according to an article published in the April issue of Nurse Leader. After completing the program, leaders adopted an evidence-based framework prioritizing care for self and leading others in a relational approach. Leaders emphasized this framework as part of orientation, professional growth, shared leadership, quality improvement and wellness programs. Total RN turnover fell from 26.8% in 2023 before the framework’s implementation to 14.9% in 2025 and first-year RN turnover decreased from 60.3% in 2023 to 26% in 2025. In addition, the framework empowered front-line staff and strengthened accountability, resulting in improved staff engagement scores, patient experience scores and quality outcomes.