BIRMINGHAM — St. Vincent’s Health System recently announced Dr. Carol Jefferson Ratcliffe, RN, CNOR, FACHE, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing executive for St. Vincent’s East, has been recognized as a nursing leader through her induction into the 2011 Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame. Ratcliffe was one of only five inductees at a ceremony held recently at the NorthRiver Yacht Club.

The Nursing Hall of Fame was established in 2001 by the Board of Visitors at the University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing. It pays tribute to nurses and others who, through their work and accomplishments, have brought honor and fame to the profession of nursing and to the state of Alabama.

“Carol is a valuable member of our St. Vincent’s team, and we’re honored to have her recognized by the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame,” said John O’Neil, president and CEO of St. Vincent’s Health System. “Through her hard work and dedication to nursing, she’s positively impacted our health system and the surrounding community.”

Ratcliffe has more than 20 years of progressive health care management experience, with 14 of those years as a vice president. She’s used her knowledge and experience to serve the industry in a wide-range of roles including mentor, teacher, executive, and an ambassador for change. In addition, she has expanded nursing practices in Louisiana and Alabama and held leadership positions at local, state, and national levels. Ratcliffe holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from UAB, and a doctorate of nursing practice with a focus in administration from Samford University.

She is a certified periOperative nurse and is Board Certified in Healthcare Management and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Ratcliffe is an inaugural recipient of the Ida V. Moffett Courage to Care Award, the 2011 Alabama State Nurses Association’s Nursing Administrator of the Year, and listed in Who’s Who in Black Birmingham and Black Alabama.

During her acceptance speech, Dr. Ratcliffe said, “I am very humbled to receive this great honor.  I know my parents and grandparents are here in spirit. Having my family, friends, co-workers, and my parents’ friends here have made this a special night for me.

“I learned as a young adult that what you do in life matters; helping other people is important; it’s OK to be a voice for those who can’t or won’t speak for themselves; how you talk to, treat someone and how you make them feel leaves a lasting impression; you should help to create opportunity; and most of all, share your gifts with others to make a difference in the world in which we live.”

Ratcliffe is a 1982 honor graduate of Selma High School. She and her husband Ulysses have two children, Kenneth and Nia.

She is the daughter of the late Thomas (Nunnie) and Sally Smith Jefferson, the grand-daughter of Clifton and Salena Jefferson, and Richard and Lena Smith.