Four Georgetown Hospital System nurses have achieved the gold standard for excellence in nursing practice and commitment to the profession.
The four are being recognized with Palmetto Gold Awards, the state’s highest honor for nursing excellence, which is given annually by the S.C. Nurses Foundation to 100 Palmetto State nurses.
System nurses are Maribeth Reid, BSN, RN, and Valerie Richardson, JD, BS, RN, from Waccamaw Community Hospital; Jessica Hewitt, BSN, RN, head nurse at Georgetown Memorial Hospital’s emergency department, and Thais Thomas, MA, BSN, RN, director of staff development for the hospital system.
Ann Waters, MSN, BSN, RN, GMH vice president of operations and GMH administrator, said the nursing staff at GHS is exemplary. “Nursing is a demanding profession that requires critical thinking, stamina and compassion 100 percent of the time. Yet again, our nurses have demonstrated that they are among the best in the state, and I am so proud that they have been selected for this honor. They set the bar high for all of us.”
Pam Maxwell, BSN, RN, vice president of operations and WCH administrator, said she was proud of GHS nurses for their dedication and selflessness. “Our nurses understand that nursing is an art that requires much of one’s self, and they give unselfishly in the best interest of their patients and peers. They are compassionate, innovative and caring, and I am delighted that they have received this recognition.”
The recipients will be honored at a formal event March 29 in Columbia. Proceeds from the event will fund Palmetto Gold Scholarships for nursing students and the Palmetto Gold Scholarship Endowment.
