WNH Promotes Nursing Leaders

Jun 22, 2021

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William Newton Hospital recently promoted three members of its nursing staff.

Debbie Marrs, BSN, RN, has accepted the position of chief nursing officer. Marrs began serving in the interim CNO role in March 2021 and assumed her permanent duties as a senior leader in early April.

“Debbie was selected for the CNO position due to her experience in other important nursing leadership positions at WNH, including OB department manager and house supervisor,” said William Newton Hospital CEO Ben Quinton. “She is a natural fit and is well connected throughout the hospital.”

Marrs joined William Newton Hospital in August 2007 as a licensed practical nurse. In 2008, she achieved licensure as a registered nurse. After four years, she began serving as sexual assault nursing examiner (SANE) program coordinator. In December 2015, Marrs was named obstetrics supervisor after a two-month interim position in that role.

In her time at the hospital, she has served on the employee wellness committee, the William Newton Healthcare Foundation employee campaign committee, and the team to develop William Newton Hospital’s standards of performance. In 2012, Marrs was named employee of the quarter. During her tenure as coordinator, SANE held the highest ranking for forensic programs in the state of Kansas. The family birthing center has maintained its ‘High 5 for Mom & Baby’ status every year under her leadership. One of her recent accomplishments is the implementation of a central monitoring system for the family birthing center.

In mid-April, Jennifer Owen, MSN, APRN, was named med/surg manager for William Newton Hospital. This position oversees the nursing staff in the hospital’s acute care unit.

Owen joined William Newton Hospital in April 2008 as a staff RN. In June 2014, she was promoted to quality improvement case manager. While pursuing her master’s degree, she again worked in the acute care unit as a staff RN. Owen graduated in 2020 and is now a family nurse practitioner.

“In her 13 years at the hospital, Jennifer has been an exemplary staff member and nurse. She has always strived to give the best patient care and to be an advocate for her patients,” recounted Quinton. “Jennifer is a coworker her peers look up to and seek knowledge from. She also has actively filled shifts in our ER and on med/surg.”

According to Quinton, the COVID-19 pandemic has given Owen the opportunity to shine as a leader. “Last year, she was highly involved in the COVID units providing compassionate care to our patients. Jennifer has been a phenomenal nurse and leader here, and we are lucky to have her now overseeing our largest nursing department,” Quinton noted.

In early June, Tara Mullins, RN, was selected as emergency room manager. Mullins began contracting part-time in the emergency department for William Newton Hospital in October 2015. She took a full-time position in the ER in January 2016. Her experience includes contract work at Wesley Medical Center and Ascension Via Christi. She was also a paramedic lieutenant with Sedgwick County EMS.

“I am excited to have Tara Mullins in a leadership role in the emergency room. In her tenure here she has earned the respect of her peers and patients. Tara focuses on safety and giving quality care to all her patients. She will be a valued addition to the nursing management team,” Marrs shared.

Quinton added, “We are very fortunate to have this level of talent already on our nursing staff. All three of these nurse leaders are committed to providing the best patient care possible. They exemplify our standards of excellence and have bright futures ahead of them here.”