Nurses
named recipients of Palmetto Gold
The inaugural Palmetto Gold Gala, South Carolina’s premier nurse recognition
program, honored MUSC nurses on May 10.
The purpose of Palmetto Gold is to salute registered nurses in South
Carolina who exemplify excellence in nursing practice and commitment to
the profession. The net proceeds from hosting the gala evening are used
to endow nursing scholarships for students attending South Carolina registered
nursing programs. The Palmetto Gold scholarship fund will be administered
through the South Carolina Nurses Foundation.
In January, a coalition of nurse leaders representing major nursing
organizations in the state met to discuss the formation of an annual statewide
nurse recognition program that would both showcase the valuable contributions
nurses make to patient care in our state, and also raise funds for scholarships
for registered nurse students. A steering committee was formed and the
work began to make this dream a reality.
The organizations represented on this year’s steering committee are
the S.C. Colleagues in Caring Project, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor
Society, S.C. Nurses Foundation, S.C. Organization of Nurse Executives
and the S.C. League for Nurses.
Renatta Loquist, R.N., professor at the University of South Carolina,
chair of the Palmetto Gold Steering Committee and S.C. Colleagues in Caring
Project was named recipient of the 101st Palmetto Gold Recognition Award.
Employers across the state were given the opportunity to nominate outstanding
nurses in their practice settings to receive this prestigious recognition.
The selection of the Palmetto Gold recipients began in January as almost
1,000 letters were sent to nurse employers and nursing organizations seeking
nominations for the Palmetto Gold Award. The nominator was asked
to provide evidence of how the nominee demonstrated excellence in practice
and commitment to the profession by addressing each of the following criteria:
promotes and advances the profession of nursing in a positive way in the
practice setting or the community; displays caring and commitment to patients,
families and colleagues; demonstrates leadership and assists others to
grow and develop; and contributions made to overall outcomes in the
practice area or setting.
Six nurses across the state that represented various practice settings
participated in the blind review process. Three committee members reviewed
all applicants ranking responses to criteria one and two while the other
three members reviewed all applicants and ranked criteria three and four.
The determination of the award recipients was made based on the compiled
scores the applicant received from all raters.
Each year 100 nurses will be recognized as Palmetto Gold recipients
for their excellence in nursing practice and commitment to the profession
through this program. The desire of the steering committee is that this
program would continue to bring recognition of the numerous contributions
nurses make going above and beyond the call of duty and making a difference
in the health care of South Carolina citizens for many years to come.
Satellite at Francis Marion University
Mary Ellen Howell, Ph.D., R.N.
Mary Ellen Howell is an MUSC nursing instructor at the MUSC satellite
campus in Florence, S.C. She is passionate, an encourager and a visionary
for nursing. She is noted for her devoted work with homeless mothers and
children helping mothers learn effective parenting skills, encouraging
them to complete their GED to gain employment and obtain the skills and
training to support themselves and their families. Her commitment is to
help the neediest citizens of S.C. to develop positive self-worth, self-confidence
and a foot-hold in their communities and work environments. Howell
participates in medical mission trips in third world countries and assists
her own nursing students to share their talents and provide care for the
impoverished and vulnerable people at international relief missions.
MUSC Medical Center
Katherine E. Chase, R.N.
Katherine Chase is a clinical nurse leader in the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit. She has been instrumental in implementing “Developmental Care”
in the NNICU and working with departments such as radiology and environmental
services to adopt this concept. Consultants and other hospitals have sought
her knowledge and expertise in this area. She has created a program of
digital photos for the families, works with volunteers to make clothes
and quilts for the babies, and has designed incubator coverlets and eye
patches for the tiny infants. She loves to teach and share her knowledge
with new staff, parents and her interdisciplinary colleagues.
Helen Holland, R.N.
Helen Holland is a clinical nurse IV and unit educator for the Medical
Intensive Care Unit. An excellent role model, Holland demonstrates expert
clinical skills as well as empathy and commitment to patients and their
families. Serving on numerous hospital committees and task forces, she
is frequently called upon as a valued resource by physicians, pharmacists
and bio-medical engineers and can be counted on for her collaboration,
accuracy and ability to meet deadlines. A humble and unassuming leader,
she serves as preceptor to novice practitioners, guest lectures to BSN
students and is a genuine supporter of new managers.
Jill Evans, R.N.
Jill Evans is a clinical nurse V and the pediatric burn coordinator
at the MUSC Children’s Hospital. She is valued for her expertise
in the care of the pediatric burn patient and is known for her caring and
compassionate approach to working with these very fragile patients and
their families during a time of crisis. She readily shares her expertise
and knowledge with all staff, including physicians, residents and members
of the pediatric burn team. She also works with firefighters and EMS personnel
across the state of South Carolina to facilitate their learning in the
first response of the burn-injured child. She is described as the glue
that keeps the pediatric burn team together while maintaining and stressing
high standards of care.
Monica Mumme, R.N.
Monica Mumme is a clinical nurse leader in the Critical Care
and Emergency Services division working on 6 West nursing unit. As
a clinical leader, she serves as charge nurse, preceptor and educator.
She developed an orientation sheet and responsibility list for charge nurses
and assists with the hospital’s product evaluation such as new de-fibrillators.
Mumme coordinates clinical resources, specialty referrals and team member
participation by physicians, continuum of care managers, social workers
and all health care disciplines to assure a high standard of care for her
patients. She cares for each of her patients with her mind, body and spirit
and loves to teach and learn from them. Mumme’s positive attitude and holistic
caring approach reflects in her patient’s positive responses to treatment
and improved health.
Laurie Zone-Smith, R.N.
Laurie Zone-Smith is the special projects manager for Clinical
Services and is a doctoral student at the MUSC College of Nursing.
Zone-Smith co-chairs the development, implementation and outcomes evaluation
process of a new professional practice model for nursing known as MUSC
Nursing Partnerships and the newly designed MUSC Nurse Intensity System
measuring direct patient care hours. She is currently facilitating the
development of the hospital’s application for the American Nurses Credentialing
Center Magnet Hospital Recognition status. Zone-Smith is an active member
of numerous professional organizations having been a member or held elected
offices over the past fifteen years including Sigma Theta Tau International
Honor Society, S.C. Emergency Nurses Association, Southeastern Nursing
Research Association, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses,
S.C. Informatics Nursing Network and the S.C. Nurses Association.
Gwen Kearse, R.N.
Gwen Kearse is a hospital services coordinator, acting in the role
of house supervisor for the Medical Center and an expert in pediatrics
and management. With more than 42 years of nursing service to the profession
and the health of her patients, she has mentored many generations of nurses
and continues to do so today. She works full-time every other weekend despite
being retired, doesn’t hesitate to accommodate staffing needs by changing
her schedule on short notice and always lends her support to her nursing
colleagues when they are in need of nurturing. Everyone who knows Kearse
and works with her speaks of her strong dedication to her patients and
co-workers, her accountability to the profession and commitment to teamwork
to improve patient care.
MUSC College of Nursing
Tara Hulsey, Ph.D., R.N.
Tara Hulsey is a faculty member at the MUSC College of Nursing. Hulsey
reflects the strong image of nursing in her community service which includes:
Church Altar Guild, Junior League Grants chair, Victim’s Advocate for Women
of Domestic Violence, Reach Out and Read Program, Mayor’s Commission on
Children, Youth and Families, Healthy Start, the Fetal and Infant Mortality
Review Board and the March of Dimes. She enculturates her sense of caring
and commitment in her students by socializing them to find their nursing
voice and instilling accountability. Her many writings and publications
demonstrate her spirit of inquiry and promotion of nursing research.
Editor's note: Reprinted with permission from the Palmetto Gold Gala
Brochure.
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