Purpose: The Palmetto Gold Award is given each year to 100 registered nurses in South Carolina from all health care settings to honor them for their outstanding performance in patient care and valuable contributions to the nursing profession. The award recipients are nominated by their employers, and selected by a committee of their peers. The awards are presented at the Palmetto Gold Gala every June.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. The nurse promotes and advances the profession or nursing in a positive way in the practice setting and in the community.

2. The nurse displays caring and commitment to patients, families, and colleagues.

3. The nurse demonstrates leadership and assists others to grow and develop.

4. The nurse contributes leadership and assists others to grow and develop.

Award Recipients:

2003 - Delores H. Bunch--Bamberg School District I
2003 - Jane Coleman Enloe--Spartanburg School District I
2003 - Rebecca LaFrage--Kershaw County School District
2003 - Kimberly Merchant--The School District of Newberry County
2003 - Janice Petty--Spartanburg School District I

2004 - Jean Blackman, RN, BSN--Darlington County School District
2004 - Dee Dee Chewning, RN, SNP, NCSN--Healthy Learners

2005 - Gail Moss, RN, MEd, NCSN
2005 - Willie Ann Hucks, RN

2006 - Carol Davison, Georgetown County School District
2006 - Donna Swofford, Spartanburg County School District Two
2006 - Cathy Young-Jones, School Health Nurse Consultant, SCDHEC & SC Dept. of Education

2007 - Betty Strickland, Anderson School District 5
2007 - Tammy Smith, Spartanburg School District 5