GRAGG NAMED “NURSE HERO” FOR 2009

Director of Nursing Faye Taylor bestows the Nurse Hero Award to Sherry Gragg, RN during Stephens County Hospital's National Nurse Week celebration.

Selected by her peers, Sherry Shea Gragg, a registered nurse at Stephens County Hospital, has received the highest honor in the nursing department designated the “Nurse Hero”. All nursing department employees are eligible for nomination and are selected based on several characteristics such as (1) consistently goes beyond the call of duty, (2) promotes a positive image for nursing, (3) is admired for their achievements and qualities, (4) exhibits positive customer relations and behaviors, (5) cares for themselves and others and (6) is committed to the nursing profession. The nominations were announced as nurses and hospital staff gathered in the hospital cafeteria early Monday morning for a breakfast reception in commeration of Nursing Week and Hospital Week. As each nominee was introduced, Director of Nursing Faye Taylor shared comments from the ballot on each nominee. The Nurse Hero award is presented as part of the Hospital ‘s celebration of National Nurses Week held each May on the week that includes Florence Nightingale’s birthday and is designed to recognize the contributions of the nursing profession to their communities.

Sherry’s nomination describes her as “a born teacher”, “focused on her mission” and “always laughing and smiling”. In her current position, Sherry is the coordinator for patient education and responsible for staff training and competencies.

Sherry graduated from North Georgia Technical College with an LPN certificate and continued her education at Gainesville College for an associate’s degree in science. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing as part of the first graduating BSN class at Piedmont College in Demorest. Sherry’s work experiences include Emergency Room nursing at Rabun County Memorial Hospital, Habersham County Medical Center and surgical unit experience at Stephens County Hospital. In addition to her employment, Sherry served as a Clinical Instructor at Piedmont College for the BSN program and currently is an instructor with North Georgia Technical College in the LPN program at the Currahee Campus. Sherry is a native of Rabun County and the daughter of Linda and Arvil Ray Gragg. She and her daughter, Allie, reside in Tallulah Falls.

2009 Nurse Hero Nominees are (L/R): Jewell Whitmire, RN (Surgical); Mary Sisk, LPN (Outpatient); Amy Sorrells, OTR (Operating Room), Gragg and Taylor, Debbie Stowe, RN (Cardiopulmonary Rehab), Sara Lee Jennings, RN (ICU) and Mary Watkins, Technician (IMCU).