Parkland celebrates a landmark year of excellence
National awards, expanded access to care highlight year of impact for patients
When the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) announced that Parkland Health had achieved Magnet® Recognition with Distinction it marked one of the proudest moments in the system’s history.
For Parkland, this achievement was more than a credential or a plaque on the wall. It was a validation of a culture built on compassion, teamwork and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Magnet recognition is the highest national honor a healthcare organization can receive for nursing practice, leadership and patient outcomes, an achievement earned by less than 10% of hospitals nationwide.
To achieve Magnet with Distinction means that Parkland not only met the rigorous standards for Magnet recognition but exceeded them, earning top marks across categories that reflect the voice and professionalism of nurses, the safety of patients, and the strength of collaboration across the system — a distinction held by fewer than 1% of hospitals nationwide.
“This honor is a reflection of our nurses’ passion and the strength of Parkland’s culture,” said Donna Richardson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive. “It is the story of every nurse who takes time to listen, to teach, to comfort — and to never give up on a patient.”
The celebration came in a milestone year for Parkland — the 10th anniversary of the new Parkland Memorial Hospital, a hospital built by the people, for the people. In 2008, 82% of Dallas County voters marked their ballots in favor of building a new Parkland to replace the one that opened in 1954 and faithfully served thousands for six decades. The new hospital, which opened its doors in 2015, stands as a living symbol of the community’s belief that quality care should be accessible to all — a belief that continues to define Parkland’s mission today.
At Parkland, nurses are the foundation of care. They are there at life’s most critical moments welcoming new life into the world, guiding families through recovery, and standing beside patients in their hardest hours. The Magnet journey, spanning years of data, mentorship and innovation, underscored what has always been true at Parkland: excellence in care begins with people who care deeply.
That same dedication shone brightly across Parkland in 2025. Parkland was named one of the top-performing kidney transplant centers in the nation, according to data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). The report placed Parkland number one in Texas and one of only three programs nationwide to earn the highest possible rating in key quality measures.
In addition, the health system was named one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals by Newsweek and Statista, earning a four-ribbon performance rating for the quality and safety of its maternal and infant care. The recognition spotlighted Parkland’s long-standing programs that nurture mothers and babies well beyond delivery including the nationally recognized extending Maternal Care After Pregnancy (eMCAP) program, the Post Natal Nurse Home Visitor program, and the Nurse-Family Partnership, each designed to bridge gaps in care, improve outcomes and empower families throughout Dallas County.
Parkland’s excellence extended to heart care as well. The American Heart Association honored the system with its Get With The Guidelines® – Heart Failure Gold Plus achievement award for consistently applying the latest evidence-based treatments to improve patient survival and reduce hospital readmissions.
Individually, Parkland’s nurses continued to shine. Sixteen registered nurses were recognized for their dedication, skill and compassion — three named among the Great 100 Nurses of Dallas/Fort Worth and 15 honored in D Magazine’s Excellence in Nursing Awards. Together, their achievements tell the story of Parkland’s nursing strength, one that blends technical expertise with humanity and heart.
But 2025 was not only a year of recognition, it was a year of reach. Parkland expanded its Access to Care & Coverage Program through a new collaboration with Sharing Life Community Outreach in Mesquite, one of the areas identified in the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) as having among the highest morbidity and mortality rates in Dallas County.
Each Thursday, Parkland’s community health workers provide blood pressure and glucose screenings, nutrition advice, and healthcare coverage assistance at Sharing Life with no appointment needed. For residents, it means care is no longer out of reach; it’s right where they live, in a place they already know and trust.
“By meeting people in familiar, accessible settings, we can identify health concerns earlier and connect individuals to appropriate care,” said Colette White, Parkland’s Director of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion. “It’s about building trust and removing barriers before problems become emergencies.”
From earning national recognition to deepening community partnerships, 2025 reaffirmed Parkland’s mission and its heart. Every accolade and every story, from a nurse’s award to a patient’s gratitude, reflected a shared belief that healthcare is most powerful when it is both excellent and equitable.
As Parkland looks ahead, the journey continues guided by the same purpose that earned its Magnet distinction: a promise to serve with compassion, to lead with integrity and to deliver exceptional care to every person who walks through its doors.
For information about services at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
If you’d like to join this amazing team, please visit www.parklandcareers.com.
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