Carole Jakeway (left), Meshell McCloud and Judith Wold greet the nurses from across the state who joined via VICS for the first Virtual Nurses Tea to celebrate National Nurses Week..

If you've ever received an immunization at a local health department, had your blood pressure checked at a community health fair, or worked with one of the many programs that count on them to deliver services, then you know the important work that public health nurses do on a daily basis. As the background of public health, none of the work we do each day could happen without them. That's why the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) celebrated National Nurses Week with a Nurses Tea.

Public Health nurses gathered at 2 Peachtree and for the first Virtual Nurses Tea, districts joined the celebration remotely via VICS. Between 130 and 150 nurses from across the state were able to tune in to the celebration. Each district held their own tea party complete with refreshments, decorations, and of course, tea.

Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., commissioner of DPH shared messages to all the nurses via video. She told the nurses that they are essential in providing population health services.

"People trust you to delivery to them the health services they need," she said. "You have the knowledge and skills to educate and help people make healthy choices with such complex issues as obesity, smoking and sedentary habits."

She also told the nurses that DPH will work to increase the public health nurse workforce's numbers.   

Annually, National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. The purpose of the week-long celebration is to raise awareness of the value of nursing and help educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting the health care needs of the American people.
During the Nurses Tea, Judith Wold, Ph.D., R.N., gave the keynote address: A Day in the Life of a "Retired" Public Health Nurse. She emphasized the public health nurses' critical role in their communities.

"There can be no healthcare system without your work," she told the nurses.

Carole Jakeway (right) presents an award for nursing excellence to presents a certification of nomination for nursing excellence to Helen Dulock.

She went on to describe her "retirement," which is not the leisurely existence that many people picture retirement. She spends her time traveling, both internationally and throughout Georgia, teaching, and providing medical services. Her hard work earned her the honor of being named during the tea an "Official Public Health Nurse in Georgia."

The main event during the Nurses Tea was the Nurse Excellence Awards. Meshell McCloud, R.N., M.S., A.P.R.N., a board certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and deputy chief nurse at DPH introduced each district.

Participants watched as nominees in each district were announced and cheers and applause filled the VICS screen. Then, the three award recipients representing the districts were announced. They were:

Debbie Kay Liby from district 5-2 (Macon), Debra Adams from district 8-1 (Valdosta), and Karen Baker from district 8-2 (Albany).

 

Carole Jakeway (right) presents a certification of nomination for nursing excellence to Sandra Metcalf

The nominees from the districts were: Stacey Henderson from district 1-1 (Rome), Anne Murphy from district 1-1 (Rome), Amy Greene from district 2 (Gainesville), Rose Bishop from district 3-1 (Marietta Cobb/Douglas), Brenda Roberson from district 3-1 (Marietta Cobb/Douglas), Laurie Ross from district 3-1 (Marietta Cobb/ Douglas), Michelle Fields from district 3-2 ( Fulton), Linda Reese from district 3-2 (Fulton), Carolyn Johnson from district 3-2 (Fulton), Wendy LeVan from district 4 (LaGrange), Debbie Kay  Liby from district 5-2 (Macon), Carol Bryant from district 6 (Augusta),  Alicia Wright from district 6 (Augusta), Debra Adams from district 8-1 (Valdosta), Karen Baker from district 8-2 (Albany) and  Nicole Hiller from district 9-1 (Savannah).

 

Carole Jakeway (left) presents a certification of nomination for nursing excellence to Joyce Slade

Carole Jakeway, R.N., M.P.H., chief nurse and director of division of district and county operations at DPH Georgia Department of Public Health presented certificates to the state office nominees.  The state office award recipient was Kelly Nadeau. J. Patrick O'Neal, M.D., director of health protection presented the award to Nadeau in Savannah while the nurses watched via VICS.

The nominees from state office were: Helen Dulock, Sandra Metcalf, Kelly Nadeau and Joyce Slade.

After the awards, the nurses enjoyed their refreshments and each other's company as they celebrated their hardwork and soaked in the appreciation they felt from across the state.

Traditionally, National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses, who comprise the largest health care profession, are working to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding health care needs of American society.

-Story by Kimberly Stringer, DPH Communications