Debra Adams, R.N., A.P.R.N., district clinical & nursing director, and William Grow, M.D., F.A.C.P., district health director, South Health District

Debra Adams, R.N., A.P.R.N., district nursing and clinical director with South Health District, won the Public Health Nursing Practice Excellence Award during National Nurses Week. This award is given by the Georgia Department of Public Health's office of nursing to recognize nurses at the state, district and local levels for their contributions and commitment to public health nursing.
 

Adams has worked with public health for more than 32 years. Throughout her career she has organized many new programs. In 1982, she and a local physician began a low-cost maternal health program to provide care to indigent pregnant women in Lowndes County. In conjunction with this program, she taught the first Prepared Childbirth Class in public health to women who may never have had the opportunity to participate otherwise.

 

In 1992, she worked with school administrators and public health staff to establish a comprehensive school health program for all Lowndes County and Valdosta City schools. Adams was responsible for writing several grants to secure funding, along with writing the policies and procedures and training the school nurses. In 2002, Lowndes County Health Department received the Glaxo SmithKline Child Health Recognition Award for the school health programs.

 

When Adams saw a need in the late 1990s, she created the Primary Care Clinic at the health department to serve indigent clients. She worked with local hospitals to secure lab testing at no cost for clients enrolled in the clinic.

 

She also wrote a Sickness and Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration (SPARC) grant in 2006 to hold the first Vote & Vax Project in Georgia. After working out the kinks with the Board of Elections supervisor and attorneys, this event has continued to be a success in the district as well as throughout the State. Adams continues to serve as a resource to other districts starting their own program.

 

To ensure women and men in the nursing field are acknowledged for their outstanding work, Adams worked with nurse leaders at South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta State University and the Georgia Nurses Association to organize a community-wide reception to recognize nurses throughout the community. This annual event has not only served to acknowledge numerous public health nurses, but also educate many in the community on what public health nurses face daily.

 

Adams is an active member of the Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA),currently serving as nursing section chair. Previously she served as secretary (2009) and vice chair (2010). In 2001, Adams won the coveted GPHA Maggie Kline Award. She was also the recipient of the Award for Excellence in District Nursing in 2009.

 

Adams continues to be a referral source throughout the state for the creation and revision of policies regarding issues such as immunizations and school health nursing. She works diligently on a daily basis to ensure the communities where we live, work and play are healthier and more informed.

 

-Story by Courtney Sheeley, public information officer, South Health District