Hera Tashjian is the chief nursing officer at Lebanese American University (LAU) Medical Center and a shared governance leader who developed 21 nursing councils at AUBMC, contributing to its historic Magnet designation.
Background and Education
Hera Tashjian, RN, MSN, CCNS is the chief nursing officer at Lebanese American University (LAU) Medical Center and clinical instructor at LAU School of Nursing. Previously, she served as a clinical instructor at American University of Beirut (AUB) School of Nursing. She earned her BSN from AUB and completed her master’s degree as an acute and critical care clinical nurse specialist at Duke University. Throughout her career, she has practiced as a registered nurse in Lebanon and in the US in cardiac intensive care and step-down units. Notably, she was the first nurse practicing as an APN at AUB Medical Center (AUBMC) and in Lebanon. Since then, the nursing profession and education in Lebanon have been evolving to include APNs in the workforce.
Shared Governance Leadership
Hera has been involved in establishing shared governance systems at AUBMC since 2004. On a journey to excellence, she led the development of a shared governance structure that has grown over time to the current 21 councils. In addition, she has provided education, coaching, and guidance to nurses in the councils throughout their development and activities.
Clinical Practice and Research
As a clinician, consultant, educator, researcher, and leader, Hera practices in a multidisciplinary fashion. She has a passion for quality, evidence-based practice (EBP), and compassionate care for critically ill patients and their families. Furthermore, she led a committee to promote EBP and developed the AUBMC Nursing EBP Model. Currently, she chairs the research council in the department. She also led the establishment of the International Training Center (ITO) for life support training through American Heart Association.
Hera has been an active leader in preparing AUBMC Nursing Services for Magnet designation, which was received in June 2009.
Her clinical and research interests are infection control, cardiac arrest management, end-of-life and palliative care, and nurses’ autonomy and shared governance. Click on the lower left corner of the photo below to hear about shared governance in the Middle East.