FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 5, 2007
DHEC nurse wins top nursing honor
FLORENCE - A Marion County resident has received the Virginia C. Phillips Excellence in Public Health Nursing Leadership Award, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
“Tammy Turner, the chronic disease manager for DHEC’s Region 4 Public Health, is a demonstrated leader in the prevention, control and management of diabetes,” said Jo Ann Price, nursing director for Region 4 Public Health. “She is a passionate educator and advocate who is very deserving of this prestigious statewide award. We are fortunate to have Tammy as a member of our public health team.”
According to her nomination, Turner was selected because of her extensive work with six American Diabetes Association approved education sites throughout the region, which serves Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Kershaw, Lee, Marion, Marlboro and Sumter counties. Turner coordinates diabetes educational activities and teaches in a way that reaches all ages, cultures and educational backgrounds.
Turner was also a recipient of the 2007 Palmetto Gold Award presented by the S.C. Nurses Association. The Palmetto Gold Awards program recognizes the top 100 registered nurses who exemplify excellence in nursing practice and commitment to the nursing profession in South Carolina.
The Excellence in Public Health Nursing Leadership Award was established in 2004 to recognize nurses who demonstrate excellence in practice as part of the annual Virginia C. Phillips Community Health Day. The annual event recognizes the many contributions made by Virginia Phillips as DHEC’s state nursing director from 1972-1979.
Phillips died in Florence Aug. 20, 2007.
-###-
For further information:
Missy Reese - (803) 934-2890
E-mail - reesemb@dhec.sc.gov
Cell - (803) 983-9095