Saint Francis Hospital Receives Lotus Recognition™ from Watson Caring Science Institute

The Lotus Recognition celebrates Saint Francis Hospital's commitment to fostering a culture of caring and healing for staff, patients, and the community it serves.

The Lotus Recognition is a powerful symbol of the true commitment of Saint Francis to the human caring theory at the heart of Watson’s Caring Science. It honors the organization’s Mission of serving as a compassionate and transforming healing presence and reflects the dedication of creating a culture that nurtures caregivers, embraces patients with dignity, and extends the healing mission into the community.

“I have the privilege of witnessing our caregivers lead with extraordinary compassion every single day,” said Dawn Cimmarusti-LeRoy, MSN, RN, CEN-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Francis Hospital. “Rooted in intention, rising through the complexity of care, and bringing comfort, dignity, and hope, whether at the bedside, the quiet of a hallway, or during a moment of crisis, our teams embody what it means to care with heart. When care is led by love and grounded in humanity, compassion isn’t just possible, it becomes who we are. And at Saint Francis, that spirit flourishes in every corner.”

“As a nurse at Saint Francis, I’ve learned that healing isn’t just about medicine, it’s about presence,” said Jennifer Travers, MSN, RN, Nursing Professional Development Specialist for the Center for Nursing Education and Practice Innovation, who served as the “Lotus Lead” for Saint Francis. “It’s in the way we show up for people in their most vulnerable moments, offering not just care, but comfort, dignity, and compassion. Even the smallest gesture can become a source of healing, and at Saint Francis, that kind of compassion lives in every interaction, every shift, and every patient story we are privileged to be part of.”

Developed by Dr. Jean Watson, Watson Caring Science is a transdisciplinary approach that incorporates the art and science of nursing and includes concepts from the fields of philosophy, ethics, and ecology and mind-body-spirit medicine. Watson’s theory is manifested through the 10 Caritas Processes®, canons in which to live and work.