Nursing at Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Nurses are the heartbeat of Roper St. Francis. As an integral part of our team, our nurses provide professional, patient centered healthcare. Our exceptional nurses are directly responsible for creating and supporting the atmosphere of compassion that has become the hallmark of care at Roper St. Francis.

Roper St. Francis nurses are highly trained professionals, with many of them achieving advance degrees and certifications. To learn more about nursing at Roper St. Francis click on the links below.

Susan Bennett, RN, MA, NEA-BC
Associate Senior Nurse Executive
Roper Hospital

Nursing at Roper Hospital

Susan Bennett recently relocated to Charleston, South Carolina from Princeton, New Jersey. Formerly, a lifelong resident of New Jersey, Susan began her career at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey as a staff nurse on a surgical oncology unit. Two years later, she transferred to the Trauma and Cardiac Surgical Critical Care Unit. Sue was promoted into several management positions including Assistant Vice President of Nursing. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital became the 7th Hospital in the country to achieve Magnet Recognition. In 2002, Susan left RWJUH to assume the role of Clinical Director, Surgical Nursing at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where she was responsible for Surgical Critical Care and inpatient units. Prior to arriving at Roper Hospital, Susan served as the Chief Nurse Executive, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, New Jersey, a member of the Meridian Health System.

Susan received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Middlesex County College, in Edison New Jersey, her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Rutgers College of Nursing, Newark, New Jersey and her Master of Arts in the Role of the Nurse Executive from Columbia University in New York City, New York.

Susan was active in several professional organizations at the state level serving two 2- year terms on the Board of the Organization of Nurse Executives /NJ and chair of the ONE/NJ Education Committee. She also was a member of Colleagues in Caring and the South Eastern Chapter of the Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders. Other memberships include Sigma Theta Tau, South Carolina Organization for Nurse Leaders, American College of Health Care Executives and The American Nurses Association.

Susan currently resides on Daniel Island and has family close by. Her brother Robert and his family reside in Murrells Inlet. Away from the office Susan enjoys spinning classes, running and soaking up the sun on the beautiful beaches of South Carolina.

Pennie Peralta, RN, BSN, MHA VP of Nursing Senior Nurse Executive Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital Nursing at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital	Pennie Peralta began her career with Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital as an RN on the Cardiac Step-down Unit in 1978, the week she graduated from Clemson University. In the following years, she was promoted into positions of increasing responsibility: Nurse manager of the Cardiac Step-down and Oncology units; director of Critical Care / Medical Surgical Services, and administrative director/senior nurse executive. She also assisted with the design, construction, and the eventual move of St. Francis Hospital to its new West Ashley campus in 1996. After the 1998 merger of St. Francis and Roper hospitals, Peralta continued her leadership role in nursing with responsibilities on both hospital campuses. In early 2005, she was named vice president of Nursing for Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital and led the organization to its first Magnet designation in August 2010. At the regional and state levels, Peralta’s efforts focus on improving the work environment for nursing, increasing the supply of nurses, addressing nursing faculty shortages, and promoting recognition for exceptional nursing practice. She has served as an officer of the Charleston Organization of Nurse Leaders for over ten years, most recently as the president for 2007-2008. She is a past president of the South Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders and serves on numerous state committees through the South Carolina Hospital Association. From 2001 to 2008, Peralta’s served on the Palmetto Gold Steering Committee, which plans the annual event that recognizes the Top 100 Nurses in South Carolina. She says, “My philosophy has always been not to complain about issues unless I am willing to work on a solution, which is why I have remained so active in regional and state organizations. I am proud to be a nurse and driven to creating an environment where nurses can do their best every day - one that provides the nurse with what they need, when they need it, and the support for each team member to deliver exceptional care for each and every patient.” Peralta holds a BSN from Clemson University, a master of science in Healthcare Administration from California College of Health Science, and is certified in Advanced Nursing Administration through the ANCC.

Diana Topjian, RN, MSN, D.M. VP of Nursing Senior Nurse Executive Mount Pleasant Hospital	Diana Topjian was named Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services in April 2010. She previously served as associate senior nurse executive for Roper Hospital from January 2007 to January 2009. Topjian then served as chief nursing officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital, a 247-bed facility in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Before joining RSFH in 2007, Topjian was a faculty member at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she was responsible for clinical education for pre-licensure nursing students. Prior to that, she served as director of Perioperative Services for West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc. Topjian earned her diploma in nursing from Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit, MI. She then earned her Bachelor of science degree in Nursing, a master’s degree in Nursing and her certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from West Virginia University. She most recently received her doctorate in Management and Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Topjian is active in several professional organizations including the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the South Carolina Organization for Nurse Leaders, the American Organization of Nurse Executives and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Topjian was born in Boston where she grew up until moving to Michigan. She and her husband, Phil, reside on James Island with their dogs and cockatiel, Marvin. Away from the office, she enjoys outside activities including white water rafting and spending time on the beach.