JACKSON NAMED 2010 NURSE HERO
AT STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL

2010 Nurse Hero Denise Jackson receives the award plaque from Faye Taylor, Director of Nurses during the National Nurses Week celebration.

Nurses and hospital staff at Stephens County Hospital gathered in the hospital cafeteria on Friday morning for a breakfast reception to recognize Denise Jackson – a monitor tech in the Intensive Care Unit – as the 2010 Nurse Hero. “It’s our way of recognizing the efforts and contributions of the nursing staff”, said Faye Taylor, Director of Nursing. “This is an annual event where the entire nursing staff make nominations based on a specific set of criteria. There are 300 employees in the Nursing Department and these nominees represent the best of the best”.

After introducing the hospital’s six nominees for the year’s top nurse, Taylor shared several comments from fellow nurses and managers submitted during the nomination process. Among them was that Jackson began work at Stephens County Hospital in 1991 and had to learn everything from the beginning. “Denise had to learn medical terminology and the monitoring system...she really knew nothing. But she has done an excellent job and just recently recognized a subtle change in a patient’s heart rhythm on the monitor and alerted the nurse. By recognizing a change and alerting the nurse, Denise’s skills and action really made the patient’s outcome better.” says Taylor. Other nominees were presented with a commemorative mug and include: Lori Deatherage, RN (Maternal Services), Connie Rice, RN (Surgical Services), Sandra Vandiver, RN (Maternal Services), Terri Cheek, RN (Nursing Administration), Beverly Muir-Garside, RN (Surgical Floor) and Karen Scully, RN (Intensive Care).

The Nurse Hero award is presented as part of the Hospital’s celebration of National Nurse Week held May 6th through the 12th and is designated to recognize the contributions of the nursing profession to their communities.