At Ascension Seton Southwest, some of the most meaningful improvements start with a simple idea from a caregiver.
Through the Seton Circle, frontline associates identify ways to improve the patient experience and strengthen care teams. Those ideas are then brought to life through community support, turning everyday insights into real change for patients and those who care for them.
This year’s funded projects come at an especially important time as Ascension Seton Southwest launches its Intermediate Care (IMC) bed program. This expansion will allow the hospital to care for more medically complex patients, right here in the community. As care needs grow, so does the importance of supporting both patients and the teams who serve them.
Seton Circle members funded several associate-led projects that will have an immediate and lasting impact:
Hospital Week Activities to Build Stronger Teams – $1,750
Hospital Week activities will do more than celebrate staff. They will actively reduce burnout, strengthen morale, and help caregivers feel valued. When associates feel supported, they stay longer, work stronger, and provide a higher level of care. Patients benefit from more experienced teams, better continuity, and a more positive care environment.
Nursing Conference Scholarship Fund to Elevate Care Through Nursing Excellence – $3,100
The Nursing Conference Scholarship Fund will equip nurses with the latest knowledge and best practices from across the country. That learning comes straight back to the bedside, improving clinical decision-making, enhancing patient safety, and ensuring care reflects the most current standards, which is especially critical as the hospital expands its capabilities through the IMC program.
Multi-Disciplinary Education Fund for High Functioning Teams – $2,500
The Multi-Disciplinary Education Fund expands access to advanced certifications and leadership training across clinical roles. This means pharmacists, radiology staff, respiratory therapists, and lab teams will have stronger expertise to guide care decisions. The result is more accurate diagnoses, more confident care teams, and better outcomes for patients, particularly those with more complex conditions who will be served through the new IMC level of care.
Perioperative Aromatherapy for Greater Comfort During Recovery – $1,500
A new aromatherapy program will give patients a simple but powerful tool to ease pain, anxiety, and nausea after surgery. By adding a safe, evidence-based comfort option, patients can feel more at ease during recovery, improving their overall experience at a time when comfort and reassurance matter most.
Each of these projects reflects what makes the Seton Circle unique. Ideas come from the people closest to patient care and are powered by a community that believes small changes can make a meaningful difference.
Together, these investments are strengthening care teams, enhancing patient comfort, and helping ensure Ascension Seton Southwest is ready to meet the growing needs of the community.