Diane Deacy

Diane Deacy, RN, MSN

Administrator Director, Ambulatory Development and Specialty Satellites

Why did you choose to leave bedside caring?

My first management assignment was supposed to be temporary — that was
almost 25 years ago! Bedside nursing will always be my passion. However, as a clinical manager, I was able to stay close to patient care activities while expanding my knowledge about health care as a business. Opportunities at the administrative level evolved from my clinical management experience.

What do you like most about your job?
Every day can be a challenge or a reward; this makes my work exciting!
My current position allows me to interact and work closely with physicians and staff from many of the specialty practices and primary care. It’s a constant challenge to keep informed and stay ahead in our rapidly changing health-care environment.

How many years have you been working at LUHS?
Almost 28 years

Where did you attend nursing school?
AD Nursing -- Morton College
BS -- Illinois Benedictine College
MSN -- Loyola University Chicago
Practice nursing -- Maternal Child Health; Ambulatory Services

How do your nursing skills help in your administrative role?
The basic nursing process of assess, plan, implement and evaluate translates extremely well into most business situations, whether it’s working with physicians and staff to introduce a new service, dealing directly with a patient-related issue or working with architects to design a new health-care facility. Understanding patient care from a bedside perspective has been a valuable asset in many of my projects. Nurses offer unique insight into the needs of the patient as well as the nurse. Nurses are natural advocates, not only for the patient and family, but for the profession of nursing.

Did you receive any additional training or mentoring to help you succeed as an administrator?
I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career to work with many nurses and administrators who I considered to be true leaders and champions in a changing health-care environment. I took advantage of their mentoring efforts to create my own management and leadership style over the years.