by Cindy Abole
Public Relations

As the British were celebrating Queen Elizabeth II and her diamond jubilee, miles away, staff from Business Development & Marketing Services gathered to honor one of their own.

Unlike the pomp and majesty that was part of the five-day public celebration, this local event honored Referral Call Center's Sandra DeAntonio, R.N., who celebrated 38 years in nursing service on June 6. To stay with the symbolic theme, coworkers adorned her with a homemade sash and decorated crown.

Registered nurse Sandra DeAntonio is a 'valuable resource' in the Referral Call Center.

A Charleston native, DeAntonio is coordinator for the call center. Before that, she cared for families and worked with resident physicians in the Department of Family Medicine.

In 1981, DeAntonio accepted a job working with marketing's Health Connection nurse services providing health care information with patients and supporting physician referrals. She completed her nursing degree in 1974 from the College of Nursing. DeAntonio stayed at MUSC, working closely with a team of health resource nurses who support the hospital's discharge program by communicating with patients and responding to specific care questions.

Department director Chris Murray praised DeAntonio for her compassion and innovative spirit.

"We knew we were hiring the right clinical leader to manage our call center's clinical functions based on Sandra's high standards for clinical practice at MUSC Family Medicine and her management experience with Carolina Family Care. Through her own personal engagement or those by her clinical team, Sandra has helped thousands of people receive care or consultation regarding the next step for their health and well-being. That's an incredible legacy for a nurse."

DeAntoino was among 10 finalists for the 2010 Nurse of the Year award and has been praised with applause awards and the department's volunteer achiever award. She's also the recipient of thank you letters and notes from grateful physicians and patients.

Health resource nurse Kathy Kuhn has worked with DeAntoinio since 2010 and can't say enough about her colleague and mentor. Kuhn and the other nurses in the call center helped organize and prepare the celebration working with coworkers who helped provide a lunch, cake, small gifts and a plaque presentation.

"It's amazing how much knowledge and experience Sandra possesses. She is great at establishing a close connection with others and deals directly with the needs of her patients. She's a great mentor to me and a valuable resource for MUSC," Kuhn said.

Editor's note: At MUSC, heroes abound. They exist in the form of caregivers, faculty, students and staff. The Catalyst's MUSC Heroes is a column that offers employees the opportunity to recognize MUSC's everyday heroes.