McLeod Regional Medical Center (MRMC) is pleased to announce the 2023 Nurse of the Year Award recipients: Mary Baker, NP; Pam Crew, RN; and Toni Lynn Vanhorn-Odom, MST. The winners were recognized during a special ceremony and McLeod celebration in conjunction with National Nurses Week.

“Being selected as a Nurse of the Year is a very honorable recognition,” said Tony Derrick, Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Regional Medical Center. “We appreciate our nurses every day, but Nurses Week is a time we honor our nurses for providing quality care to our patients. The Mission of McLeod Health is to improve the overall health and well-being of the people living within South Carolina and eastern North Carolina by providing excellence in health care, and our nurses are an instrumental part of that goal.”

Mary Baker, NP, Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year, is a Nurse Practitioner with the Neuroscience Care Unit.

“Mary walks into our unit with a big smile on her face and greets our staff each morning. She shows kindness, warmth, compassion, and dedication to her field with each patient interaction,” says Jessica Carmichael, Nursing Director for the Neuroscience Care Unit. “In all of her roles here at MRMC, Mary has excelled. She has been a bedside nurse, Patient Care Supervisor, Clinical Nurse Manager, Neuro Interventionalist Liaison, and now Neurology Nurse Practitioner. Mary is dedicated to her patients and wants what is best for them. She has said on multiple occasions that she just wants to continue learning so she is able to provide better care. Mary operates with the utmost integrity and truly exemplifies the core values of McLeod.”

Pam Crew, RN, Registered Nurse of the Year, works in Labor & Delivery.

“Considered the ‘mom’ of Labor & Delivery, Pam has mentored and developed countless nurses throughout her 34-year career, building immense bonds and connections with her coworkers. Not only does she fit the role as a mentor and preceptor, but also as a caregiver for patients and their families over the years on the mother/baby and OB high risk units,” says Jennifer Desai, Nursing Director for Labor & Delivery. “This nurse goes beyond the tasks of nursing to show grace, love and compassion to patients and their families in times of fear and uncertainty with high-risk pregnancy. Patients and their families often return to see her after they deliver. Described as a ‘genuinely kind soul’ by her peers, Pam cares deeply and holds true to her values as a person and a nurse. Our physicians greatly value her opinion regarding patient status, as they know she strives for excellent quality in the care she provides. She is always going to do what is right for her patients.”

Toni Lynn Vanhorn-Odom, MST, Nursing Technician of the Year, is a Medical Surgical Technician (MST) in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).

“Toni goes above and beyond the duties required of her, often anticipating what her patients and coworkers need before they ask,” says Curt Keefe, Nursing Director for the CCU. “She values honesty and integrity, setting the standard for patient care. Her compassion does not stop at the patient’s door. It flows into her attitude and performance with her peers, who describe Toni as selfless, friendly and knowledgeable. She is an important and valued part of our CCU team.”

Florence City Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin, BSN, RN, RNC-CIC, was in attendance to present a historical proclamation designating May 6 as National Nurses Day for all nurses in Florence.

“We are nurses 24/7,” said Mayor Ervin. “It’s who we are. We are servant leaders. We serve you when you’re in crisis. We serve you to educate or help you stay healthy.”

“I chose to make McLeod the place I provided my nursing care 42 years ago, and it is an honor to celebrate this day with you,” continued Mayor Ervin.

“A McLeod Nurse does not do what they do for the recognition; they do it for the patients,” said Derrick. “Every day, I am in awe of what our Nurses can accomplish. Our outcomes prove what excellent care our patients receive. As the Chief Nursing Officer, I am so impressed with their quality work and daily dedication. I believe we have some of the best nurses in the world here at McLeod.”

Pictured from left to right:
Toni Lynn Vanhorn-Odom, MST, Nursing Technician of the Year
Mary Baker, NP, Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year
Pamela Crew, RN, Registered Nurse of the Year