The Pulse on Charleston Nurses

CIELITA K. HALYARD, MSN, FNP-C

Nursing was a goal for Cielita K. Halyard since high school. She actually knew at that time that she wanted to be a nurse practitioner but decided to work as a nurse first before pursuing her masters degree. For 10 years, Halyard worked as a bedside nurse and then finally obtained her MSN. Her specialty of choice was family practice/ primary care.

“I get bored very easily and thrive on variety,” she said. “Therefore I knew family practice/primary care would be the best fit for me.”

Now with Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, she hasn’t looked back.

“It doesn’t matter how you start the race; it only matters how you finish. Therefore, don’t let anything or anyone deter you from pursuing your goal,” she said.

ESTEE PERLMUTTER, FNP-BC

Estee Perlmutter grew up with parents who were both teachers, so when it came to choosing a profession, she knew it would be one that gave back to the community in some way.

She has worked in both hospice and med/surg, but what she ended up specializing in was family practice. Now, as a family nurse practitioner with Liberty Doctors, she feels right at home.

“I love working in family practice because it allows me to treat patients of all ages with a variety of health concerns. I may treat a person with congestive heart failure and diabetes followed by a person with a poison ivy outbreak,” she attested.

She loves the opportunities she has been afforded with a career in nursing: “I’ve lived in many different cities and have always been fortunate to find work.”

Ultimately, her love for nursing lies with helping people.

“My goal is to help people feel well and live the life they would like to live,” she said.

BARRETT WALTON, RN

Barrett Walton knew that the health care field was for him but wasn’t so sure about nursing. But, after just a few courses in college, he fell in love with every aspect of nursing and is now working in the progressive care unit at East Cooper Medical Center. New to the field, Walton is one of the youngest nurses in the department and strives to learn from his team every day.

“Everyone here is really great to work with. I was welcomed with open arms, and it’s so nice to have that,” he said.

His advice for anyone thinking about becoming a nurse: “It’s not easy, but you learn something new every day and that makes it really exciting.”

Barrett has resided in the Lowcountry his whole life and enjoys every aspect of living here, including spending time on his boat and being active outdoors.

NICOLE MOSLEY, BSN, RN

Nicole Mosley credits her upbringing in a military family with her passion for giving back to the men and women who serve our country. Now as an assistant nurse manager for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center’s Savannah Community Based Outpatient Clinic, Mosley said she is proud of the work the VA has done during this unprecedented time.

“We have done a great job caring for the veterans, especially making sure they have access to care even if it is not face-to-face,” she said.

Mosley said the VA’s telehealth services have been successful: “We have been creative with care utilizing video and telephone appointments to keep veterans and our employees safe.”

She concluded, “Being a nurse is not just a job or career. It is who you are. Loving what you do shows in the care you provide to your patients. Patients put their trust in you. Don’t ever lose focus of that.”

KHAILIALIAH YATES, RN, ADN

The most rewarding part of being a pediatric intensive care unit nurse at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital for Khailialiah Yates is being able to bring joy, light and hope to the children and the families that she cares for in probably what is the toughest time of their lives.

“I was working as a tech in the PICU when I decided to go to nursing school. I saw the care and compassion that the nurses showed the patients. I immediately went into nursing school, and now I get to do that,” she said.

She admitted that being a critical care nurse during a pandemic has been challenging in many ways but that she wouldn’t change it for anything.

“I love what I do and am grateful I get to do it,” she remarked.

She doesn’t take herself too seriously and she advises other nurses to do the same.

“It is OK to have fun in your job,” she said.

Yates is currently working on her BSN and aspires to obtain her CCRN and ACNP.

RICHETTA DEAS, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC

It was the painful death of Richetta Deas’ grandmother when she was just 7 years old that made her want to go into nursing.

“My grandmother – my angel – who gave me so much of the little she had, succumbed to a malignant tumor in her stomach that was deemed inoperable. She died alone in a nursing home. I wanted to take care of her myself, and I was only 7 years old,” she remembered.

But that experience inspired her. She is now an adult nurse practitioner with Fetter Health Care Network.

Her advice to new nurses is to “listen to your patients. They are an invaluable resource, and you will learn from each one. Passing clinicals, grand rounds, boards – that is the easy part.”

She also said, “Don’t let the money or job security be the primary reason you become a nurse. Chances are you will fail. This profession is for the soldiers of heart, and you must be alert and ready at all times.”

AMBER RYAN, RN, BSN

Amber Ryan remembers setting up a doctor’s office for her father, a stonemason, when he would return home with cuts and bruises after a hard day’s work.

“I would clean him up and bandage his wounds,” she said.

But as a freshman in college, she started taking classes in early childhood education.

“I’ll admit guts and gore deterred me from becoming a nurse at first,” she explained.

When her grandfather got sick, she said she always remembered how his face lit up when he spoke about the nurses who made his hospital stays better.

“I knew that I wanted to do this for others. I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives the way those nurses did for my grandpa,” she explained.

She is now working in the pediatric intensive care unit at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Make the most of every experience, and follow your own path to becoming a nurse. I work with so many health care professionals in different fields that feel discouraged they aren’t where they expected themselves to be. We all get there eventually, so use every step along the way as an experience to grow from.”

TRERVOR PHAM, RN

Trervor Pham said he has his wife to thank for encouraging him to become a nurse. “She happens to be an RN as well. She said I had the perfect personality for a nurse, so I gave it a chance. ”Now in med-surge at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, he said he is glad he took that chance because, “nursing has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.”

He said he enjoys med-surge because he likes caring for veterans as they come out of complex surgeries.

“Med-surge is also helping me to build upon my foundation as I work to critical care,” he said.

He concluded: “Nursing school is tough and the job is demanding. There will be times that you may feel like giving up. If you persevere and stick with it, nursing will be one of the most rewarding things you ever do. Being able to say you made a difference in a patient’s life is beyond amazing.”

TANYA LOTT, DNP, RN-BC

When Tanya Lott was only 11 years old, she contracted bacterial meningitis and spent a week in the children’s hospital at MUSC. It was that experience that began her love for nursing.

“I remember having student nurses who took me to the atrium to color and helped me with my schoolwork. It was the first time I had thought about health care as a career,” she said.

Her original thought was pediatrics, but, in nursing school, she found that the neonatal rotation was her favorite. She was hired after graduation from Charleston Southern University at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in the newborn nursery. After completing her master’s degree, she became an education specialist in the Roper St. Francis Healthcare professional development department and a clinical instructor at Charleston Southern University. She recently completed her doctoral degree in executive leadership at the University of South Carolina.

In her current role of Magnet Program director, she helped to lead Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital to the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet designation in 2010, 2015 and now in 2020.

“My current role blends all of my favorite roles in nursing – teaching, mentoring, leading, pursuing the constant journey toward excellence and providing direct care nurses with the support and resources they need to deliver amazing nursing care,” Lott said.

JARROD BURNSIDE, BSN

It was a job in high school at a long-term care facility that began Jarrod Burnside’s interest in nursing. Back then, he was assisting the residents in activities, but he enjoyed helping and caring for the residents so much that after graduating from high school, he joined the military, where he honed his skills as a medic. Now as a nurse at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, he said that of all the different jobs he has had in nursing, working with veterans has been the most rewarding.

He believes nurses should work for six months as nursing assistants before entering nursing school and that they should work the floor they aspire to for a year before entering into the field.

“Nursing really is about the patient as a whole; it isn’t just about the medical aspect,” Burnside said. “Many veterans come to our facility for emotional support. They want that connection with other people, and many show up without an appointment. They just want to talk to someone else who can relate.”

CHARLES L. REEVES JR., MSN, RN, CEN, CCEMT-P, TCRN, NRP

Emergency Department was a natural transition for Charles L. Reeves.

Now, as the assistant nurse manager in the Emergency Department at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, his role is more administrative, but he said he likes to work bedside along with his staff in the Emergency Department because he doesn’t want to lose perspective of what nurses deal with on a daily basis.

“I believe that working in the trenches, so to speak, allows me to be a better manager, too,” he added.

His advice to new nurses: “Stay committed and focused. All the work and sacrifice will be worth it. You are obtaining education that will empower you to not only change your life but also the lives of your patients.”

He also encourages nurses to keep learning. He plans to return to school to become a family nurse practitioner.

DEBORAH WALKER, BSN, RN, CCRN

Deborah Walker, administrative nursing supervisor for Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital, recalls the exact moment she decided nursing was the right path in her professional journey. She was a new mom, and her baby was suddenly admitted to an intensive care unit.

“I was out of town, scared and feeling so helpless,” Walker recalled. “It was the kindness, calming attitudes and knowledge of nurses on the unit that compelled me to go into nursing.

As a nursing supervisor, Walker said she enjoys the unique privilege of being involved in direct patient care while ensuring that nurses have the support and tools they need for the best patient outcomes.

“Nurses give so much of themselves every day to care for the patients they serve, and it is my joy to provide them with support and care,” she said.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Never underestimate the impact of your service, dedication, kindness, compassion and sacrifices. Although you may not always get accolades and kudos, know deep down the magnitude of your efforts do not go unnoticed.”

KALEIGH GRIFFITH, RN

Kaleigh Griffith, a nurse at Trident Medical Center, has wanted to be a nurse since she was 6 years old. Her mother was a nurse, so she saw firsthand how rewarding the job could be.

She said she met a “little girl with cancer” in her first year of clinical and meeting her made her decide to pursue oncology.

“I eventually want to migrate into pediatric oncology,” she said. “Treating children with cancer is something I am interested in.”

She is currently pursuing her BSN. Her RN license came from Patrick Henry Community College in Virginia.

Her advice to new graduates is to always have a positive outlook and attitude.

She concluded, “The job won’t be easy, but it’s so rewarding and that makes it worth it.”

AMELIA HILL, FNP-BC

Amelia Hill said she went into nursing for the same reason that many do: “I wanted to help people.”

She obtained her BSN from Charleston Southern University but realized that she wanted more autonomy, so she pursued her nurse practitioner degree and received an MSN-FNP from the University of South Carolina.

She currently works at Palmetto Endocrinology.

“As a nurse practitioner in an endocrinology office, a great percentage of the patients I see have diabetes and/or thyroid disorders,” she said.

She enjoys counseling patients on eating a healthy diet and exercising.

“This can result in a significantly higher quality of life,” she said.

She is married and enjoys spending time with her husband, their family and Dewey, their golden retriever.

Karen Halverson is described by her peers as friendly, focused and the consummate team player. The Goose Creek resident has served as the inpatient wound care nurse at East Cooper Medical Center since June 2018.

“I knew I wanted to care for patients and improve their lives. I shadowed a wound care specialty nurse in college,” she said. Halverson then followed in their footsteps and obtained her wound and ostomy certification. She also earned an associate degree in nursing from the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, California, and bachelor of science in nursing degree from the Augsburg University in Minneapolis.

Karen understands that every individual is unique and one-of-akind. She gives concentrated attention to each patient she interacts with. She encourages aspiring nurses to always ask the patient about their back story and to never stop asking “why.”

STACEY WARNEKE, RN, BSN, CPHON

It was Stacey Warneke’s experience in pediatrics that led her to realize what her true passion in nursing was.

“My first job as a nurse was at MUSC on the pediatric sub-specialty floor. This was an amazing floor, and, though it was mentally and emotionally difficult, I quickly fell in love with the hematology/ oncology and BMT aspects. This was mainly because of the incredibly resilient patients. These pediatric patients and their families would spend so much time on the floor that you would get to know them quite well,” she explained.

She is currently the BMT donor coordinator at MUSC. She works with donors who volunteer to donate bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells for a patient in need.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Nursing school is difficult. Work hard and push through, and you will realize your dreams and find a great reward on the other side.”

Samantha Wisnom never thought twice when she was considering what career to pursue in college. When she was in the eighth grade, her great-grandmother suffered a massive stroke and that was when she truly took an interest in the medical field. “My cousin was a nurse at the time, and I admired how knowledgeable she was during those last few weeks of my great-grandmother’s life and the care she provided her,” Wisnom reminisced. She began taking advanced science and anatomy classes in high school and then started looking at colleges with nursing programs. “It all happened very naturally,” she said. She graduated with a BSN from the University of South Carolina in 2016 and currently is enrolled in the school’s MSN program. She also is working as a cardiac nurse at Trident Medical Center. “I think it is a great specialty to be in because of its prevalence in today’s society, as heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women,” she pointed out.

She concluded, “The schoolwork is hard, and the job itself can be emotionally, mentally and physically exhausting. However, the impact you will make on patients’ lives will stick with them and you forever. It is such a rewarding job and worth all the bad days combined.”

KRISTEN SCHENKEL, BSN, MSN, RN

Kristen Schenkel found a role in nursing that combines her passion for financial management with her passion for nursing. As the nurse manager of staffing and resources at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Schenkel ensures that safe staffing levels are in place, and she works to retain the best nurses in the community to work at the VA.“I have been blessed to find a way to combine my passion for finance with my nursing leadership career,” she said. She started in health care as a patient care technician on the medical/ surgical unit at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital in Savannah, then went to the intensive care unit while attending nursing school. She completed her BSN and remained in Savannah, where she transitioned to an intensive care unit staff RN. After a few years of bedside nursing, she completed her MSN in nursing leadership and administration and moved into nursing administration as the nurse recruiter at the VA in 2016.“Research continues to show us that by increasing and improving staffing, we can reduce negative outcomes for our patients by up to 20%,” she pointed out. “I strive to ensure that not only do our veterans know they are receiving the safest care but that our staff know they are able to provide the safest care.”

Holly Loh chose her specialty in nursing because of the adrenaline rush. She has worked in the emergency room at Trident Medical Center since 2015, and, in the fall of 2018, she became a designated trauma nurse lead as part of the level 2 adult trauma program. “I was originally a cardiac nurse, and I loved it but wanted something more fast-paced. I became an adrenaline junkie and fell in love with everything ER and trauma. We see our patients and their families on some of the worst days of their lives, and it’s an amazing feeling to make a positive impact on them and try to make their day a little better,” she said. Originally from Maryland, Loh said she is the first nurse in her family. She decided to pursue nursing because of her early love of science. “We had a nurse come to career day in high school, and I was sold,” she concluded. She advises new nurses to “Never give up! There are limitless opportunities for nursing and so many different areas you can focus on. If you aren’t happy in your current specialty, you can find something new to explore and love.”

ANDREA COYLE, MHA, MSN, RN, NE-BC

It was always a dream of Andrea Coyle’s to do something where she was going to make a difference in people’s lives. She not only enjoys assisting patients and families with their needs, but she also is passionate about inspiring and motivating future and current practicing nurses.

As the professional excellence and magnet program director at the Medical University of South Carolina, Coyle has the opportunity to make changes and empower others. She is responsible for leading a driving strategy of the nursing strategic plan, facilitating shared governance and restructuring the nurse clinical ladder. One of Coyle’s many successes was completing a nutrition pilot program at MUSC that increased nurses’ consumption of fruits and vegetables. “I love evolving and managing positive changes,” she explained. She truly believes that nurses have the ability to make the impossible possible. “As the profession evolves, the sky is the limit. Keep going; don’t remain stagnant. Obtain advanced degrees, join professional organizations and obtain specialty certifications. The commitment to the profession of nursing is worth the hard work,” she said.

Rachel Corvino, a clinical research recruiter with Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, started her nursing career about two years ago on the orthopedics/neuroscience floor of Trident Medical Center. Recently, when an opportunity arose, she moved over to research – and she hasn’t looked back.“The aspects I enjoy most about my position as a research recruiter are learning about the cutting-edge medications and treatments that will be able to help so many people, being able to assess patients to see if they would be good candidates for studies and then being able to educate patients about the studies and the new treatment options that the studies would provide,” she said.Although new to the field, she would advise aspiring nurses never to be afraid to seek out and explore different specialties.“Nursing is such a diverse field, and there are many great avenues you can follow. Also, never be afraid to ask questions and keep a love for learning. Never become complacent with your knowledge,” she concluded.

Shannon Wickersham said she initially pursued a career in the primary care setting as a nurse because it was more conducive for her family and their activities. But it didn’t take long before she realized that it was actually a true calling and her passion.“Working in primary care is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoy working with patients of all ages, during all different times of their lives, in sickness and in health.”She graduated from Roper Hospital School of Practical Nursing in 2001 and began working on a medical surgical unit in the hospital setting. She remained in that position for 10 years.She now works in the Palmetto Primary Care Physicians Summerville office. She is a married mother of four daughters and she hopes she can be an inspiration to them, just as her mother was to her.“My mother, who is also a nurse, was my inspiration,” she said. “She encouraged me to pursue a nursing career. I became a nurse because I love helping others and I genuinely care.”Her advice to aspiring nurses is to work hard, ask questions and don’t get discouraged.“This is one of the most rewarding professions. Do not give up. Strive to make a difference every day,” she concluded.

“Service for the greater good is a career and a life worth living” – that was what was instilled in Dr. Kristen Poston from a young age by her father, who served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force.“I witnessed my parents dedicate their lives to the service and support of this country,” Dr. Poston said. “So I wanted to choose something that allowed me to pursue lifelong service and advocacy of others as well.”Dr. Poston spent her time as a registered nurse working in neurology and neurosurgery and has a specific interest in acute stroke, as well as poststroke transitional care. Her doctoral work focused on reduction of re-admissions in ischemic stroke patients. She is an AANP certified family nurse practitioner and currently practices in urgent care.Dr. Poston joined MUSC as an adjunct faculty member in 2014 and transitioned to a full-time faculty role in 2017.“I currently practice as an FNP, but I also teach because I truly feel that we are only as good as our next generation of nurse change-makers. My passion is teaching, particularly teaching using innovative education methods for today’s ever-evolving learner,” she concluded.

It was a trip to see her aunt that sealed the deal for Christina McDaniel on wanting to pursue nursing as a career.“I got an opportunity to spend a summer shadowing my aunt who was a nurse at a university in the Upstate. I saw the nurturing way in which she did her job and that it was more than a job – it was a passion.”She started her nursing career at MUSC Children’s Hospital in the neonatal intensive care unit. She later transitioned into a staff nursing position floating throughout the Children’s Hospital.She then went on to work in ambulatory care and later accepted a position with Hospice Care of South Carolina’s Hands of Hope Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care program.“Children with complex conditions is something I am passionate about. Understanding how to make their journey more manageable is what I have focused on professionally and what brings me the most fulfillment.”After furthering her leadership experience as a director of operations for a multi-state hospice company, she joined the faculty at MUSC’s College of Nursing. This opportunity helped her find her passion in educating future nurses.“Our future lies with our students. As nurses, regardless of our specialty, we have to nurture and support our future nurses.”

Dr. Kathy Van Ravenstein admitted that she loves so many different specialties in nursing but that her favorite has been working with adults and older individuals with multiple chronic health conditions. Now as an assistant professor in the MSN/ DNP program at MUSC, Dr. Van Ravenstein teaches potential nurses and nurse practitioners about the career that she is so passionate about.Her nurse practitioner background began when she saw some of the other nurse practitioners interacting with physicians when she worked as a nurse in the ICU. Her teaching background began after she became a nurse practitioner and started teaching clinicals at the undergraduate nursing school level.”After doing that, I knew that I always wanted to teach to have the opportunity to share my knowledge with future nurses and nurse practitioners,” she said.She concluded, “I have been fortunate to be able to enjoy all the different facets of nursing, including teaching, caring for patients and conducting research. I find that in nursing, there is never a dull moment, and there is always an opportunity to explore something new and continue to grow and learn.”

Amy Gulledge said she has found her passion with teaching future nurses.”While I loved caring for patients at the bedside, my passion for academics began to grow as I continued my own education,” she said. “I witnessed what an impact academic nurse educators can have on one’s nursing practice and future, and I wanted to be part of it.”Her clinical experience was in med-surg, cardiac, orthopedic, trauma and case management. She is currently a college of nursing instructor at MUSC, and she is in her second year of the accelerated Ph.D. program.”I started the Ph.D. program so I could make a difference in health care through research that aims to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities,” she said. “I am especially interested in the effects of social isolation in those with chronic respiratory disease.”Her advice to aspiring nurses? “Nursing is such a diverse field with so much opportunity. Find the specialty you love and never stop learning and growing,” she concluded.

Dr. Ruthie Conner has enjoyed working in many aspects of the nursing field throughout her career. She was once a hospital nurse, a travel nurse and a transplant coordinator. She is now an assistant professor in the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing program in the doctor of nursing program. She also enjoys working as a family nurse practitioner in the HouseCalls program at United Healthcare.She said she was inspired by her father to pursue a career in nursing.”My dad was chairman of the board of trustees at Lexington Medical Center when I was in high school,” she said. “He had a huge respect for all health care workers, especially nurses. He encouraged me to pursue a nursing degree.”Dr. Conner holds a bachelor of science in nursing from Clemson University and a family nurse practitioner and Ph.D in nursing from MUSC.Dr. Conner said she is thankful for her father’s encouragement.”I have enjoyed every moment of my career. It is so rewarding to provide emotional and physical comfort to people who are not feeling well,” she said.As a nurse educator, Dr. Conner enjoys mentoring students.”I wanted to make sure that nursing students understood that a positive attitude and a genuine display of kindness with each and every patient were just as important as their knowledge and that if at any time they did not enjoy their job that there were countless other job possibilities in this amazing profession.”

Kim Bradley said she felt “called” to do what she is currently practicing in nursing. As a Marine spouse of 25 years, Bradley has a distinct understanding and awareness of the challenges and difficulties facing military families. With over 20 years of experience as a nurse, Kim has worked the last 11 years for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society as a combat casualty assistance visiting nurse, helping post 9/11 Marines, sailors and their caregivers adjust to life after wartime service. In her unique role, she has been able to travel throughout the United States, making face-to-face visits at no charge to the patients and families, regardless of their discharge status. She currently covers the states of South Carolina and Missouri.Bradley said her education took her almost 20 years and to nine different schools after many military moves and raising two children while taking classes. She completed her ADN at the Jewish Hospital College of Nursing in St. Louis, which is now called Godfarb School of Nursing. She completed her BSN online through Chamberlain College of Nursing almost 10 years later, when her kids were in high school.She spent her first 10 years of nursing working as a mother/baby nurse, parent/child educator and as a lactation consultant before moving on to help military families.”I am a person of service and compassion, and I felt nursing was a great fit for me as a mom and military spouse,” she said.

Dr. Michelle Nichols never thought she would have chosen the field of research when she was in college. Currently, as a nurse scientist, she said she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Research ended up becoming a passion of mine,” she said. She worked as a research nurse after she completed her master’s degree but wanted to pursue her doctorate so she could conduct her own research.She said one of the best parts of being a nurse scientist is that she doesn’t lose the one-on-one patient interaction. “I still get to maintain that close connection with patients and families, but I get to use my knowledge and skills to address clinical needs important to their health,” she said.At MUSC, Dr. Nichols’ interests include reducing health disparities through health promotion and disease prevention in under-resourced populations, the use of community-based participatory research methods, prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and clinical research ethics.Dr. Nichols specializes in working with underserved children, adolescents and their parents to improve health literacy and health behavior change.

Working in the health care field was definitely in Sophie Fowler’s blood since her father, grandfather and great grandfather were all doctors. “They sparked my interest in medicine,” Fowler said. Her specialty is palliative care, which she started working in at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. She said she never thought she would have loved palliative care as much as she does now. “It is the art of helping people with some of the most difficult decisions of their lives,” she said. “I enjoy being there to help guide people as to what is best for them.”Fowler works for LTC Health Solutions, which offers patients a team of high-quality medical professionals to provide consistent care to people in full-care or assisted living facilities.When it comes to working in geriatrics with palliative care, Fowler said that she believes in treating the patient as if he or she were her mother or father. “Put yourself in your patient’s shoes and always treat them as if they were one of your own,” she advised.

Nursing was actually Dr. Gayenell S. Magwood’s second choice in college.“After I graduated college the first time, I wanted a ‘do over,’” she said. “An opportunity arose for me to pursue my BSN and the rest is history.”Dr. Magwood began her career as a trauma ICU nurse.“At that time, I was concerned with the continuum of care at home that the patient received from family and close friends once discharged,” she said.While working on her master’s degree, she completed a practicum with a transplant nurse and fell in love.“My time as a transplant coordinator let me combine my interest and passion for working with patients and families dealing with complex conditions,” she said.To say she is heavily involved in her community is an understatement. She was project director for REACH in 2010 and is currently heavily involved with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society in Nursing, National Black Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association and many more.Dr. Magwood advised, “Commit to never stop learning. RNs are an integral part of the health care system, and we have a responsibility to contribute to our community.”

While on active duty in the Navy, Dr. Catherine Durham was working in intensive care and noticed the importance of prevention. “I started to realize how vital the quality of primary care was and how crucial it was to have access to it,” she said. While in the Navy, Dr. Durham was selected for a program to complete her MSN. She then pursued a career in family medicine and has been working as a family nurse practitioner ever since. Although Dr. Durham is also an active drilling reservist in the Navy, holding the present rank of commander, she admitted that the best decision she ever made was to be a nurse. “Having the opportunity to engage with patients at their most vulnerable times can have a positive lasting impact,” she said. “Pursuing nursing has been the most valuable thing I have accomplished in my professional career.” She added, “I knew I wanted to be a nurse from an early age. I had an interest in helping others and loved the science associated with being in health care — those two things together were the perfect mix for me.”

Morgan McCall, the clinical coordinator for the palliative care program of LTC Health Solutions, had no idea she wanted to be a nurse when she was in college at Charleston Southern University, let alone to eventually work in hospice and palliative care.“I was an undeclared major,” she said. “After two years of college, I went to my career advisor, and all I knew was that I wanted to help people, so I gave nursing a try.” She felt it was a calling when she was one of 40 accepted into the program out of 120 who applied. Working in hospice also came to her as a “sign.” A family member of hers was battling a disease, and, on the morning that the family member passed, she got a call from Agape Hospice asking if she would like to interview with them. After working there for three years, she transitioned to palliative care. “I now work with patients earlier in their disease process,” she said. “There are no words to describe the countless interactions I have had over the past five years. I am grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to work with each and every one.”

As a family nurse practitioner with LTC Health Solutions and Agape Hospice, Annemarie Sipkes Donato really gets to know her patients personally, and that is her favorite part of being a nurse. “Compassionate care of patients and their families in their home is very rewarding to me,” she said. Donato just returned to working fulltime as a nurse after teaching at MUSC for 20 years. “I always taught my students to treat their patients as they would want to be treated,” she said. “I also always encouraged them to really study where they wanted to work as a nurse. There are many different areas and so many new opportunities to seek.” She also said that being open-minded about all the different areas of nursing will lead to success in the specialty they choose. For Donato, hospice was definitely the specialty that became her passion. “Having the opportunity to see patients in their homes inspires me to give the best care possible so that patients and their families have the resources available to them to live the best quality of life,” she said.

Kitty Weaver finds great satisfaction from educating patients when they are experiencing either chronic illness or needing end-of-life services. “I had the opportunity to work with my father-in-law, an elderly aunt and a friend’s mother at the end of their lives,” she said. “It became a passion of mine to assist people at this very vulnerable time.”Weaver is currently the director of palliative care for LTC Health Solutions, a sister company of Agape Hospice. She has worked in many different aspects of nursing over her 30-year career but has been working in the hospice realm since 2012.“In palliative care, it is rewarding to offer help to people who are suffering with chronic illness but not yet needing hospice services,” she said. “I enjoy helping people with symptom management and advance care planning so that they can focus on the quality of their life.”

Kelly Holmes works as a nurse on the labor and delivery unit at East Cooper Medical Center and, for the past nine years, has worked as a nurse in the Army Reserves. Holmes was working in women’s health diagnostic sales in 2006 when she decided to pursue a career in labor and delivery nursing. “I was selling a test to assess risk of preterm delivery, and most of my job was educating nurses on the test. I had a passion to be on the other side,” she said. “I wanted to be the one taking care of these patients.” For Holmes, what she loves most about labor and delivery is certainly witnessing the miracle of birth, but she also enjoys observing families — how they interact in the delivery room and how the baby is introduced to the siblings. She advises other nurses to always take the most difficult patients. “You will learn the most from them,” she said. She also feels incredibly honored to be serving her country in the Army Reserves. “The Army Reserves has afforded me some extraordinary learning experiences and has taken me to some very interesting places,” she said. “I’m honored to serve this country and the soldiers of the Armed Forces alongside some phenomenal medical professionals.” We have partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing to highlight some of the Lowcountry’s top nurses. HealthLinks Charleston wants to recognize nurses as the backbone of our medical community and thank them for all their efforts!

The transfer of medical nursing knowledge from research to patient is paramount for Teresa Kelechi, professor and David and Margaret Clare Endowed Chair at MUSC. With a bachelor of science in nursing from Kent State University, a master of science in nursing from Case Western Reserve University and a Ph.D in nursing from the University of South Carolina, Kelechi has established herself as an expert in the field. “Having the ability to conduct research that helps patients manage symptoms associated with having skin ulcers is the inspiration to my profession,” she commented. Currently, Kelechi is affiliated with clinical practices where patients with lower leg problems such as venous insufficiency or diabetes are seen. She talks to them about symptoms and self-management, even inviting them to become part of ongoing studies. “My plans are to continue to conduct research for preventing and managing a variety of ulcers,” she said. “I also plan to continue teaching Ph.D nursing students about conducting research and mentoring junior nursing faculty.”

A suggestion by her guidance counselor kindled Amelia Joseph’s career in nursing. After receiving her bachelor of science in nursing from Southern Connecticut State University, she finished her education in the Lowcountry, getting her masters in business administration from The Citadel and earning her Ph.D at the University of South Carolina. Since then, she has built an extensive career in nursing.“I’ve worked in a variety of different clinical settings, mostly as a nurse manager, and finished my career here in Charleston as an associate nurse executive,” she said.Throughout Joseph’s years as a nurse, she has made great efforts to care for patients individually and without judgment. “I believe that family, whatever that means to the patient, is an extension of the patient,” she explained. “I believe that you never treat a patient in a vacuum, but, rather, you treat the patient as well as his or her family.”Joseph is currently the department head for the Swain Department of Nursing at The Citadel.