Patricia (Pat) Vassell, DNP, RN, director of nursing at Riddle Hospital, part of Main Line Health, has been selected as one of six scholars for the 2020 Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program, which is administered by the American College of Healthcare Executives. More than 70 outstanding executives applied for this prestigious national program.

“This is an incredible honor for Pat, and I couldn’t be more proud,” says Matt Magargal, regional vice president of patient care services at Riddle and Paoli hospitals, both part of Main Line Health. “Pat demonstrates her commitment to our patients, colleagues and the nursing profession each day, and I know she will benefit tremendously from this program so that she can further advance her leadership skills within the organization.”

The year-long program helps further prepare mid- and senior-level careerists to advance to higher leadership roles. Scholars will benefit from a specialized curriculum that includes strategies for navigating challenges in career advancement and enhancing executive presence; one-on-one interaction with a specially selected mentor; and participation in formal leadership education and career assessments.

“Main Line Health has a deep commitment to advancing diversity, respect and inclusion throughout our organization and in the communities we serve,” says Barbara Wadsworth, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer at Main Line Health. “The Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program truly helps support its scholars to expand upon their skills and diversify the leadership of organizations, and I’m so incredibly proud of Pat for being selected for this program. She is so deserving, and I know she has a bright future ahead of her at Main Line Health.”

The Thomas C. Dolan Executive Diversity Program was established by the Foundation of ACHE’s Fund for Innovation in Healthcare Leadership to honor Dolan, who served as president and CEO of ACHE from 1991–2013, for his long-standing service to the profession of healthcare leadership and to further his strong commitment to achieving greater diversity among senior healthcare leaders. Scholars will receive tuition to attend ACHE’s most notable educational offerings, including ACHE’s 2020 Congress on Healthcare Leadership and 2020 Senior Executive and Executive Programs.Enhanced self-awareness, critical leadership skills and an expanded network of leaders will prepare scholars for their future roles. For more information about the 2020 scholars and the Executive Diversity Program, visit ache.org/executivediversity.

Founded in 1985,Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system serving portions of Philadelphia and its western suburbs. Main Line Health’s commitment—to deliver advanced medicine to treat and cure disease while also playing an important role in prevention and disease management as well as training physicians and other health care providers—reflects our intent to keep our community and ourselves well ahead. A team of more than 10,000 employees and 2,000 physicians care for patients throughout the Main Line Health system.

At Main Line Health’s core are four of the region’s most respected acute care hospitals—Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital—as well as one of the nation’s recognized facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital.

Main Line Health also includes Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, which includes skilled home health care, hospice and home infusion services; Main Line Health Centers, primary and specialty care, lab and radiology, and other outpatient services located in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Exton, King of Prussia and Newtown Square; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization; and Main Line HealthCare,one of the region’s largest multispecialty physician networks.

Main Line Health is the recipient of numerous awards for quality care and service, including System Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest distinction for nursing excellence and the Mid-Atlantic Alliance for Performance Excellence (MAAPE) Excellence Award. Main Line Health is committed to creating an environment of diversity, respect and inclusion and has proudly embraced the American Hospital Association’s #123forEquity Pledge to Act to eliminate disparities in care. We are dedicated to advancing patient-centered care, education and research to help our community stay healthy.