FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 5, 2007
DHEC nurses recognized for excellence
SUMTER - Public health nurses from DHEC’s Region 4 were honored for their excellence at a statewide ceremony held in Columbia, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
Marion County resident, Tammy Turner, received the statewide 2006 Virginia C. Phillips Excellence in Public Health Nursing Leadership Award.
“Tammy is a demonstrated leader in the prevention, control and management of diabetes,” said Jo Ann Price, Region 4 public health nursing director. “She is a passionate educator and advocate who is very deserving of this prestigious award. We are fortunate to have Tammy as a member of our public health team.”
Turner, the chronic disease public health manager for DHEC Region 4, was selected for this statewide award for her extensive work with six American Diabetes Association approved education sites throughout the 10-county region, which serves Clarendon, Chesterfield, 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.
Nominees from each of DHEC’s eight public health regions are presented to the deans of nursing at several South Carolina universities. One state winner is selected for the Excellence in Public Health Nursing Practice and one for the Excellence in Leadership Award.
Also nominated for their nursing excellence were registered nurses Jane Mansfield of Conway, Sallie Briggs of Summerton and Dorothy Wilson of Clio. All three are employed by DHEC Home Health’s Region 4 West, which serves, Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties.
"Not only do these three nurses provide exceptional care to their patients, but they also serve as outstanding resources to staff and to the local medical community,” said Jan Caputo, DHEC Home Health program manager.
Mansfield was the Region 4 nominee for the 2006 Excellence in Practice Award for her outstanding practice as a wound/ostomy/continence nurse. Briggs, who is a certified diabetes educator for Clarendon and Sumter counties, was the nominee for the 2007 award in that category. Wilson served as the 2007 Region 4 nominee for Excellence in Leadership for her work as DHEC Home Health’s continuous quality improvement coordinator.
The Excellence in Public Health Nursing Leadership Award was established in 2004 to recognize nurses who demonstrate excellence in leadership 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. The Excellence in Practice Award began in 1980 with the inception of V.C. Phillips Day. Because an event was not held last year, awards were presented for both 2006 and 2007.
Turner and Mansfield were also recipients 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.
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For more information:
Missy Reese - (803) 934-2890
E-mail - reesemb@dhec.sc.gov
Cell - (803) 983-9095