Mari Grace Garcia-Cuellar

Director of Nursing

Beeville, Texas, United States

About

With over 16 years of experience in nursing leadership and administration, I am passionate about advancing clinical excellence, change management, and professional practice in the health care sector. As a Director of Clinical Practice and Standards at Christus Spohn Health System, I was responsible for developing and implementing evidence-based practice guidelines, policies, and practice standards across the system. I also hold the Nurse Executive Advanced certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, demonstrating my commitment to excellence and innovation in nursing practice. In my most recent role I provided leadership and oversight for nursing education, I served as a resource expert on nursing practice as well as chair of nursing peer the system nursing peer review committee. I served as direct nursing supervisor for inpatient wound care team In my previous role, I collaborated with senior nurse leaders to assess the Christus Spohn System according to ANCC Magnet and Pathway to Excellence criteria, and to develop practice and programs that support clinical excellence. I was proud to see one of our facilities successfully designated as Pathway to Excellence, reflecting our dedication to creating a positive work environment for nurses and enhancing patient outcomes. I also leveraged my writing skills to create and disseminate various reports, articles, and presentations on clinical practice and standards, as well as to provide feedback and coaching to other writers.

Experience

  • Director of Nursing at Exclusive Home Health & Hospice, Inc.
    Jun 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • CHRISTUS Spohn Health System (On-site)
    • Director of Clinical Practice & Standards
      Jun 2018 - Jul 2023 · 5 yrs 2 mos

      Responsible for nursing education at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System: onboarding and orientation, continuing education, competency management, ongoing targeted education and training, development of evidenced based practice, collaborative partnerships, professional development. Expert resource regarding nursing practice rules and regulations. Chairperson of Regional fall prevention committee and facility pressure injury prevention committee. Direct supervisor for inpatient wound care team CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline.

    • Director of Professional Practice
      Aug 2013 - Jun 2018 · 4 yrs 11 mos

      Assessed CHRISTUS Spohn System according to ANCC Magnet and Pathway to Excellence criteria. Collaborated with Senior Nurse leaders to develop practice and programs which support clinical excellence. One facility successfully designated Pathway to Excellence. Served as Interim Chief Nurse within the CHRISTUS Spohn health system during this tenure.

  • Chief Nursing Officer at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Beeville
    Apr 2007 - Jul 2013 · 6 yrs 4 mos

    Chief Nursing officer, served on administrative team for the facility, responsible for oversight of nursing services for the facility.

  • CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Beeville (Beeville, Texas, United States · On-site)
    • Clinical Nurse Manager Intensive Care/Clinical Outcomes Coordinator
      Aug 2004 - Apr 2007 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      Evaluate the performance of staff nurses and provide mentoring and support professional development. Develop departmental budgets and maintain the inventory of all medicine, supplies and equipment used for the department. Monitor patient care for quality and review patient and staff data to measure the effectiveness of patient care. Apply healthcare practices and nursing standards throughout the care facility that are evidence-based. Concurrently served as quality outcomes coordinator, primarily focused on nursing quality indicators.

    • ICU Staff RN
      Apr 1998 - Sep 2004 · 6 yrs 6 mos

      Direct care RN and charge nurse for critical care patients.

  • Admissions Nurse/Nurse Manager at Bee Areas Home Health
    Feb 1994 - Mar 1998 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    Completed initial evaluations of patients for a home health agency, subsequently promoted to manager.