Professional Governance (2024)

Professional Governance at St. Louis Children’s Hospital is comprised of five interprofessional working councils that promote interprofessional collaboration, decision-making, autonomy, and accountability. The councils, made up of representatives across all disciplines and led by frontline team members, including clinical nurses, empower staff to work together to advance professional and evidence-based clinical care, staff engagement and professional growth, patient outcomes, and patient, family, and staff experience.

Unit-based councils serve as the voice of the staff and as the foundation for Professional Governance. The unit councils provide a forum for staff to work on department specific projects or to discuss improvement ideas as they relate to clinical practice, the practice environment, and unit or institutional culture.

The Coordinating Council is the connection point between the unit-based councils and the working councils within the Professional Governance Structure. Coordinating Council serves as a project intake forum and coordinates all council activities.

Five councils serve as the working councils for Professional Governance. Each council facilitates decision-making and innovation, centered around a primary area of focus, resulting in an enhanced work environment and improved patient and staff outcomes.

• Development Council – promotes professional development and career growth for all staff
• Education Council – ensures staff receive the education and level of supported needed to be successful in their roles
• Experience Council – promotes a healthy, inclusive environment and exceptional experience for patients, families, and staff
• Practice Council – ensures staff throughout the organization provide safe, ethical, equitable, evidence-based care to all patients and families
• Technology Council – evaluates, improves, and optimizes the use of technology as it applies to nursing and clinical practice

The Executive Council, led by Carrie Lee, DNP, MBA/HCM, RN, NE-BC, Vice President, Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, provides guidance to all councils to ensure that council work supports the Mission, Vision and Values of the organization and is aligned with organizational strategic priorities.