2024 Distinguished Nursing Alumnus

Her career

Desi graduated from Linfield with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1996. For the next 20 years, she worked as director of patient care services for Legacy Health. While working there, she pursued and earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University New Orleans. She spent a brief stint as the regional quality manager for the Heart and Vascular Institute at Providence Health and Services before she was hired away to serve as chief nursing officer at Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville.

Currently, Desi serves as the chief operating officer for McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield.

Desi Shubin is an authentic result driven leader. She has proven to be a strong interdisciplinary team builder who is dedicated to a vision of patient safety and a healthy workplace environment. Her ability to lead by example through communication, dedication, professionalism and commitment to evidence-based practice has been consistent throughout her nursing career. She has been recognized for reversing underperforming operations, developing programs and improving processes.

Other awards

She holds active memberships in the American Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Northwest Organization of Nurse Leaders, member of the board for PNW Community Table and member of the Lane Community College Nursing Advisory Board.

Her strong work has been recognized with awards including AONL Nurse Manager Fellow (2013), John King Quality Award Winner for Fall Prevention (2012) Legacy Health, Legacy Health Circle of Excellence Leadership Award (2010), Legacy Health Nursing Network Nursing Excellence Awards for six consecutive years, and the NW Examiner Volunteer of the Year Award. She has also received nominations for the following awards: AONL Nurse Leader of the Year (2019) and March of Dimes Nurse of the Year (2013).

Scholarship contributions

Desi is continually giving back to the profession. She has given a number of presentations including: "Nursing Leadership During a Pandemic" (2021), "From Good to Great: A Quality Journey" (2018) and "Developing a Pathway for the Care of Heart Failure Patients, Legacy Health" (2012). Desi has also contributed to publications related to fall prevention and patient safety.

A true leader, a consummate nurse

To quote her nominator:

“Desi Shubin is an authentic result driven leader. She has proven to be a strong interdisciplinary team builder who is dedicated to a vision of patient safety and healthy workplace environment. Her ability to lead by example through communication, dedication, professionalism and commitment to evidence-based practice has been consistent throughout her nursing career. She has been recognized for reversing underperforming operations, developing programs and improving processes.”

Perhaps, Desi’s impact can best be summed up with this line from the nomination, “She makes a difference wherever she goes in, whatever she does.”