On August 16, the 2025 Women of Distinction event honored Jenny Hardee, CEO of McLeod Health Dillon, as one of the eight recipients of the 2025 Mary Dean Brewer Women of Distinction award. The annual event, hosted by the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina, celebrates and honors outstanding women for their professional accomplishments, service to others, and impact on their community.

Jenny’s journey with McLeod Health began in 2005 as the Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Health Darlington and in 2016, her leadership skills led her to serve as CEO. In 2020, Jenny served as Interim CEO of McLeod Health Cheraw during a critical transition period while maintaining operations for McLeod Health Darlington. In May 2023, she was appointed CEO of McLeod Health Dillon.

Over the past 27 years, several leaders with McLeod Health have been honored with the Mary Dean Brewer Women of Distinction award including Donna Isgett, Lesli McGee, Octavia Williams-Blake, Barbara Brooks, Sandra Bridgers, Marie Saleeby, Beverly Hazelwood, Carol Adams, Jill Bramblett and Jumana Swindler.

In 1998, Mary Dean Brewer, a former McLeod Health Vice President and a Girl Scout, had the idea of honoring women who have taken the principles and values they learned in Girl Scouting and applied them successfully in their adult and professional lives. She saw an opportunity to increase awareness of women leaders, while helping raise funds for an organization she loved.