Kathleen Kepler has been in the nursing field 27 years and has been the nursing director at Rollins Brook Community Hospital in Lampasas for the past six months.

In her short time as director, Ms. Kepler has made significant contributions to Rollins Brook patients and staff, according to a hospital spokesman.

"We have good working relationships here," she said. "I enjoy challenging jobs, and this position motivates me to keep up with the times and learn to accept change."

One change she initiated is the way the emergency department runs.

"We have the 'pull to full' system where patients do not need to be registered immediately in order to receive care," Ms. Kepler explained. This has lowered the patient's length of stay, she added.

Rollins Brook also has implemented new protocols for medication retrieval.

"We have designated a blocked area so any nurse retrieving medication is completely focused on the task at hand," said Ms. Kepler. "Our medication errors have decreased, and that is a huge success."

Nurse-to-nurse reports are in the works to enhance patient safety in the medical/surgical department, and Ms. Kepler is looking for ways to increase the safety and care of each patient.

The nursing director has dayto day responsibilities for all hospital operations. "It is hard at times to stay away from the bedside, but I like to stay involved because it is important as a leader to be able to perform the task I am directing to my nurses."

Ms. Kepler has a master's degree in nursing as an acute nurse care practitioner.

She has worked in the emergency room, critical care transport and in the education department, and has served as a trauma coordinator and neurosurgical nurse practitioner.

"I like to stay busy, and I like to reach for excellence," Ms. Kepler said. "This is a great organization to work for. The sense of community and support makes all my hard work worthwhile."

For information about Rollins Brook, visit www.mplex.org.