Published April 30, 2026
Terasa Antoch, RN, nurse manager, Westerly Hospital Med/Surg Unit, was recently named a Healthcare Hero by the Providence Business News, which annually highlights outstanding individuals and organizations across the Ocean State.
Antoch was recognized for a variety of strengths, including her diligence with patient safety and her steady and consistent presence, which has fostered trust and engagement among her team.
Under Antoch’s guidance, the Med/Surg Unit has achieved remarkable successes in recent years, including reducing hospital-acquired infections. Med/Surg 2 has gone 2,000 consecutive days without a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI); and Med/Surg 3 has surpassed 1,500 CAUTI-free days. In addition, Med/Surg 3 went more than 2,578 days without a central-line associated bloodstream infection.
Antoch also led the successful launch of a transformative Interdisciplinary Rounding initiative designed to strengthen nurse-provider collaboration through structured bedside rounding. The evidence-based practice has enhanced the unit’s patient experience by ensuring patients feel heard, informed and actively involved in their care.
Summing up her overall work ethic and management style, Antoch was praised for “maintaining clear communication, proactively addressing challenges, following through on every commitment and creating trust and excellence within the department… Through her dedication and consistent presence, she fosters an environment where staff feel supported, standards remain high and patient care continually improves.”
