Honoring Excellence: Conway Medical Center’s 2026 Nursing Week Awards
At Conway Medical Center, excellence isn’t just a goal—it’s our daily commitment. During this year’s Nurses Week celebration, we proudly honored the exceptional individuals and teams who embody our values of Compassion, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence in everything they do.
This year marks a special expansion of our recognition program. We doubled our awards to celebrate both inpatient and outpatient nursing excellence across every category, ensuring that the outstanding care delivered throughout our entire health system received the acknowledgment it deserves. We also introduced a new Nurse Resident of the Year award to recognize the exceptional new graduate nurses who are shaping the future of healthcare at CMC.
After receiving nominations from throughout our organization, we’re delighted to announce the winners of our 2026 Nurses Week Awards. These healthcare heroes represent the very best of CMC, demonstrating outstanding dedication to patient care, leadership, innovation, and teamwork.
Friend of Nursing Award – Hospital
Celebrating essential non-nursing team members who elevate our healthcare mission through outstanding teamwork, positive communication, and unwavering dedication to CMC’s values.
Winner: Chaplain Allen Springer
Chaplain Allen Springer is more than a chaplain—he’s a wingman, a mentor, a counselor, and the steady presence that holds families and staff together during their darkest moments. Available day, night, and weekends, Allen embodies Strive for Five in everything he does, offering genuine kindness and unwavering support when families are at their worst. His mission extends beyond patient care to encompass those who care for the patients, recognizing that healthcare workers also need spiritual and emotional grounding.
What makes Allen truly exceptional is his extraordinary commitment to both patients and staff. When a staff member’s mother-in-law passed away, he didn’t hesitate for a moment—he came immediately to be with the family, offering compassion, prayers, and presence that brought comfort during an incredibly painful time. This isn’t an isolated incident; numerous staff members share similar stories of how Allen has shown up for them without question or delay. Recently, he spent over four hours across two days sitting with a grieving wife in CCU, walking her through grounding techniques, providing companionship, and offering prayer. His smile is contagious, his spirit unwavering, and his impact immeasurable. Allen doesn’t just support the nursing team—he enriches the entire culture of Conway Medical Center, making him truly deserving of this recognition.
Friend of Nursing Award – PNS
Recognizing outpatient non-nursing team members who support patient care through kindness, collaboration, and dedication to creating a positive healthcare environment.
Winner: Rebecca Keay
Rebecca Keay is one of those rare individuals who combines exceptional clinical knowledge with genuine kindness and a spirit that brings joy to the workplace. As a mentor to new nurses, she demonstrates remarkable patience and willingness to help others learn, creating an environment where questions are welcomed and growth is celebrated. Her interactions with patients are beautiful to witness—she makes them feel truly cared for through her attentiveness and compassion.
What distinguishes Rebecca is how she brings fun and thoughtfulness to everyday work life. She’s the person who brings valentines for everyone on Valentine’s Day and necklaces on Saint Patrick’s Day, creating moments of celebration that strengthen team bonds. Beyond the festive touches, Rebecca ensures her patients receive excellent care even outside office hours, responding quickly to messages and tracking down colleagues’ phone numbers to check on them when they’re out sick. Her willingness to lend a helping hand—even when busy herself—and her respectful collaboration with the OB suite, demonstrate her commitment to making every aspect of patient care run smoothly. Rebecca’s compassion for peers and patients alike makes her an invaluable friend to nursing.
Caring Heart Award – Hospital
Honoring essential support team members who demonstrate a consistently positive attitude, reliable performance, compassionate patient care, and strong team collaboration.
Winner: Teresa Woodberry, Surgical Unit
After 18 years at Conway Medical Center, Teresa Woodberry hasn’t lost an ounce of her spark—she’s become the steady heartbeat of the surgical unit. Her ability to transform tense situations with sincere accountability and compassion sets her apart. When faced with an upset family member concerned about missed pain medications, Teresa didn’t deflect or make excuses. Instead, she looked the daughter in the eye and said, “I completely understand and I will feel the same way if that was my mother.” That moment of genuine empathy turned frustration into gratitude, with the family member returning minutes later just to thank Teresa for understanding.
Teresa runs the surgical unit with military precision, keeping everything in order while maintaining kindness and approachability. Her colleagues describe her as having “the best attitude” and note that she “never fails to make me smile when I am having a rough day.” What makes Teresa truly exceptional is her unwavering dedication to both her patients and her team—she jumps at every chance to help her fellow coworkers, provides amazing care to patients, and does it all with a consistency that has made her an integral part of CMC’s surgical services for nearly two decades.
Caring Heart Award – PNS
Recognizing outpatient support team members who bring professionalism, compassion, and exceptional patient service to every encounter.
Winner: Britney McMillian
Britney McMillian possesses a remarkable gift—the ability to bring smiles and laughter to otherwise uncomfortable situations, transforming moments of fear into moments of connection. Her professionalism and patient service excellence shine through every single day, but it’s her personal touch that truly sets her apart. Whether she’s making a terrified patient laugh as EMS loads them onto a stretcher or simply connecting with patients on a human level, Britney has an unmatched commitment to making every person feel special and cared for. Her ability to read the emotional needs of each patient and respond with exactly the right combination of competence and compassion creates an environment where even the most anxious patients feel reassured and valued.
Nurse Mentor Award – Hospital
Honoring experienced nurses who serve as exceptional resources to staff, demonstrate effective team communication, and take leadership roles in orientation, committees, or projects.
Winner: Salanda Fernandez, Clinical Resource Nurse
Salanda Fernandez is an excellent addition to the Clinical Resource Nurse team, providing invaluable support to nursing staff across the hospital. She assists all nursing personnel when needed, provides education to the floors, and utilizes her expertise in many different types of nursing to help staff assess patients who show clinical decline. What sets Salanda apart is her ability to make every nurse—from seasoned professionals to brand-new graduates—feel heard, supported, and appreciated in their work.
Salanda’s mentorship extends far beyond answering questions. She guides nurses through hard situations, helps them advocate for their patients’ best interests, and takes the initiative to show them uncommon patient situations so they can learn from them. During codes and rapid responses, she not only jumps in to help but also uses these high-stress situations as teaching moments, calmly assigning roles to everyone while being careful not to leave students out so they can gain valuable experience. New graduates describe Salanda as their go-to when they’re concerned about a patient, knowing she will routinely help with tasks they perform less often or are less experienced in while leading the way as they advocate for their patients. Her approach to mentorship balances hands-on guidance with allowing nurses to navigate situations independently with her support, creating an environment where learning flourishes alongside excellent patient care.
Nurse Mentor Award – PNS
Recognizing outpatient nursing leaders who serve as exceptional resources, demonstrate effective communication, and provide mentorship that elevates clinical practice.
Winner: Sara Fesko, Pediatric Nursing
Sara Fesko has been an amazing presence in pediatric nursing for eight years, becoming the number one go-to person for any and all questions. Her comprehensive knowledge, consistently positive and upbeat demeanor, and hard work to keep the office running smoothly make her an invaluable resource to everyone around her. What makes Sara exceptional is not just that she knows the answers—it’s that she’s incredibly friendly, sweet, and approachable, making it very easy for colleagues to come to her with any questions or concerns.
Sara never misses an opportunity to train a new hire or fine-tune the skills of nurses who have been with PNS for years. She is eager to teach the most accurate and compassionate methods of nursing, training more nurses in proper pediatric workflows than can be counted. Her commitment to leading others with the highest standards is evident in how she supports all providers while ensuring patients and their families always feel cared for. Sara is quick to speak up when it comes to better patient outcomes, asking questions and allowing others to feel comfortable knowing she is always willing to lend a hand or find an answer. Her clear, efficient communication and dedication to excellence make her a true mentor and leader in outpatient pediatric care.
Professional Nursing Development Award
Celebrating nurses who develop or improve departmental education programs through expertise in adult learning, creative approaches to staff development, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration.
Winner: Maile Swanson, Emergency Department – Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator
Maile Swanson’s dedication and unwavering commitment have had an extraordinary impact on Conway Medical Center this year through her leadership in achieving Pediatric Readiness Advanced Recognition. She invested countless hours, energy, and expertise into guiding our organization through this rigorous process—a milestone that directly elevates the quality and safety of care we provide to children and their families. Her work went far beyond simply completing requirements; she brought teams together, educated staff, streamlined processes, and ensured that every component of pediatric readiness was approached with excellence.
Maile’s vision has transformed our emergency department in tangible ways. She reimagined the waiting room and Room 13 into dedicated pediatric zones, developed comprehensive policies, ordered specialized supplies and equipment, and educated staff on all aspects of pediatric care. From taking the forensics nurse course to become a resource for sensitive cases involving law enforcement to spending months developing new pediatric practices, Maile has consistently contributed to making the department better. Her advocacy for our youngest patients and her support for staff through every step of this transformation have strengthened our emergency department’s capabilities in ways that will make a meaningful difference for years to come. Staff describe her as an amazing young woman whose perseverance, attention to detail, and genuine care for the littles has hoisted CMC to an entirely new level of commitment to our community’s children.
Exemplary Nurse Excellence Award – Hospital
Celebrating nurses who demonstrate exceptional clinical expertise, innovative approaches to patient care, collaborative relationships across disciplines, and daily embodiment of our core values.
Winner: Mary Chelsey Martin, Labor and Delivery
Mary Chelsey Martin represents the gold standard in labor and delivery nursing—a professional who brings calm assurance to the most critical moments while maintaining the warmth and patience that families desperately need. Her colleagues describe her as someone who is “always two steps ahead,” providing a steady, rational resource they can count on to help make the right choices in patient care. With years of experience in this specialty, Mary Chelsey has encountered situations that many nurses never see in an entire career, giving her the confidence and expertise to remain composed during even the most intense scenarios.
What truly sets Mary Chelsey apart is her approach to crisis situations. During active hemorrhages and other high-intensity emergencies, she brings a calming presence that transforms chaos into coordinated care. Her colleagues aspire to be like her, noting that they always feel safe when she’s there to assist. Mary Chelsey’s dedication extends well beyond her shift hours—she routinely stays late to ensure everyone’s needs are met, whether that’s a patient requiring extra care or a colleague needing support. She goes beyond nursing expectations by providing expert education and guidance to coworkers, remaining honest, friendly, and helpful in all interactions. Her ability to provide nonbiased, passionate care to all patients while ensuring her team feels supported makes her an invaluable asset to Conway Medical Center.
Exemplary Nurse Excellence Award – PNS
Recognizing outpatient nurses who deliver safe, high-quality care while demonstrating clinical excellence, workflow innovation, and exceptional patient advocacy.
Winner: Tracie Kaplan, Pain Management
Tracie Kaplan consistently goes above and beyond in delivering safe, high-quality care while maintaining a calm and reassuring presence for patients and families navigating the complex challenges of pain management. Her exceptional clinical judgment shines through in her meticulous attention to detail and procedures, even during the high-pressure situations that arise daily in the clinic. Tracie’s thoroughness is legendary—she performs comprehensive workups of each patient, demonstrating deep knowledge of both the acute and chronic aspects of pain as well as the pharmaceutical nuances that inform treatment decisions.
What distinguishes Tracie is her unwavering work ethic and dedication. She’s consistently the first to arrive at the clinic and the last to leave, never complaining whether the clinic is short-staffed or fully staffed—she simply gets the job done with professionalism and grace. Tracie treats every patient with genuine empathy, taking time to listen to their concerns and ensuring their voices are properly heard by providers. She upholds ethical standards even in high-pressure situations and maintains impeccable clinical and administrative documentation. Her willingness to go beyond her role—cleaning, moving equipment, doing tasks she shouldn’t technically need to do—all with a smile on her face demonstrates her commitment to patient comfort and team success. Tracie’s colleagues describe her as a wonderful, integral part of the pain team whose efforts genuinely need to be appreciated.
Exemplary Leadership Award – Hospital
Recognizing nursing leaders in managerial or supervisory positions who demonstrate leadership aligned with CMC values, commitment to our healing ministry, and excellence in team development.
Winner: Tammie Rupe, Nursing Supervisor
Tammie Rupe displays excellence through her unmatched dedication, clinical expertise, and hands-on leadership style that has made her a definitive resource for the entire hospital. As a Nursing Supervisor, Tammie possesses exhaustive knowledge of CMC policies and procedures, but what truly sets her apart is her honesty, transparency, and commitment to accuracy and fairness. She ensures that staff operate at the highest level of safety and clinical performance by quickly solving difficult problems—whether it’s a staffing crisis or a complex patient concern, she always finds an acceptable solution.
Tammie is famously hands-on, never hesitating to step into the trenches to support staff during difficult situations. You’ll often find her working extra hours, not only fulfilling the supervisor role but also lending her expertise in the ED and CCU. This “in the mix” leadership style proves her personal accountability, loyalty, and dedication to CMC while fostering a culture of mutual respect and reliability across all departments. Despite managing multiple responsibilities, Tammie remains remarkably organized and tuned in to everything happening in the hospital. She maintains a calm presence that keeps operations flowing smoothly, whether she’s assisting patients and families through a death, finding solutions for bed management challenges, or resolving staff concerns. Staff look forward to the nights she’s working because they know they can count on her to lead with integrity, strength, and knowledge.
Exemplary Leadership Award – Provider Network Services
Celebrating outpatient nursing leaders who lead with compassion, foster collaboration, maintain high standards, and create supportive environments for both staff and patients.
Winner: Sarah Stevens
Sarah Stevens consistently demonstrates excellence by leading with Conway Medical Center’s core values of compassion, integrity, collaboration, and excellence in everything she does. She approaches both staff and patients with genuine compassion, always taking time to listen, understand concerns, and support the team during challenging situations. Her integrity is evident in the way she makes fair, transparent decisions and holds herself to the same high standards she expects from others, creating an environment of trust and accountability.
What distinguishes Sarah’s leadership is her ability to foster a strong sense of collaboration by encouraging open communication and valuing the input of every team member. She ensures everyone feels heard and supported, which strengthens teamwork and overall morale throughout the clinic. Through her leadership, Sarah sets a clear example of excellence by maintaining high expectations, staying solution-focused, and continuously striving to improve processes that benefit both staff and patient care. Her commitment to working as a team creates a culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work.
Best Nursing Team Award – Inpatient
Recognizing nursing teams that demonstrate clinical excellence, innovative patient care approaches, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and collective embodiment of our core values.
Winner: Surgical Center South
The Surgical Center South nursing team consistently exemplifies excellence in patient care, professionalism, collaboration, and dedication to safety. Every day, these nurses demonstrate exceptional clinical skill and unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality perioperative care. From pre-operative assessments to post-anesthesia recovery, they ensure each patient feels informed, safe, and supported throughout their surgical experience. Their attention to detail, vigilance, and adherence to evidence-based practice create an environment where patient safety is the highest priority.
What truly sets this team apart is their collaboration, unity, and genuine care for one another. In a fast-paced surgical setting where precision and timing are critical, they communicate seamlessly with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and support staff. Many team members are cross-trained to take on different roles—with several circulators also performing preop and PACU duties—allowing them to step in wherever needed without hesitation. This flexibility, combined with their supportive nature, creates a family atmosphere where accomplishments are celebrated together and challenges are faced as a united front. The team’s remarkable adaptability shines through whether they’re managing schedule changes, high-acuity cases, or unexpected challenges—they remain calm, focused, and solution-oriented. Their consistently high patient satisfaction scores reflect not just what they do but how they do it: with unity, accountability, compassion, and pride. Trust, precision, and teamwork define the Surgical Center South team, making them truly deserving of this recognition.
Best Nursing Team Award – Outpatient
Celebrating outpatient nursing teams that showcase clinical excellence, innovative care approaches, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exemplary representation of our values.
Winner: CMC Primary Care – Socastee Residency
The Primary Care Socastee Residency nursing team works together with such fluency that assistance often doesn’t even need to be asked for—they anticipate needs and step in seamlessly. Their efficient communication and exceptional teamwork create an atmosphere that makes patients feel at home, turning what could be just another clinic visit into a genuinely welcoming experience. The team’s ability to function as a cohesive unit allows them to take on all patients, even when other primary care offices are unable to accommodate them, managing high volumes with professionalism while maintaining compassion and efficiency even on their busiest days.
What makes this team truly special is their family-like dynamic. They work as a family to make patients feel at home, demonstrating the kind of caring, compassionate approach that transforms healthcare from a transaction into a relationship. Their commitment to patient-centered care means going above and beyond without hesitation, ensuring that every person who walks through their doors receives the attention and care they deserve. The providers in this clinic describe their nursing team as essential to function, and it’s easy to see why—this group of caring, compassionate professionals truly makes teamwork look effortless while delivering exceptional care to the Socastee community.
Nurse Resident of the Year
Recognizing nurses currently participating in the Nurse Residency Program who demonstrate exceptional compassion, commitment to excellent patient care, exceptional growth, empathy, and integration of evidence-based practices.
Winner: Michael Morgan
Michael Morgan exemplifies what every nursing program hopes to develop—a new graduate who brings not only clinical competence but also infectious positivity and genuine compassion to patient care. Even while navigating the challenges of his first year as a nurse, Michael consistently goes above and beyond, transforming his unit with an attitude that lifts everyone around him. On even the most difficult days, his smile and steady energy make the entire team feel lighter and more capable.
What sets Michael apart is how quickly he has made a meaningful impact. He’s already earned a Strive for Five recognition for his exceptional patient care, with families frequently mentioning during nurse leader rounds how he makes them feel genuinely cared for—even returning the next day to check on patients who aren’t assigned to him. His dedication to fostering the next generation is equally impressive; he mentors nursing students on his unit and was invited to share his new graduate experience with the Coastal Carolina University nursing club. Michael doesn’t just bring heart and dedication—he brings the kind of presence that makes everyone excited to come to work, demonstrating that even early in a nursing career, one person can profoundly influence an entire team’s culture and morale.
Dessie Wright Lifetime Achievement Award
Honoring nurses with 20+ years of service who have made significant contributions to nursing practice through policy development, professional leadership, committee involvement, and community service—celebrating a career dedicated to advancing healthcare excellence.
Winner: Sharon York, Critical Care
Sharon York has dedicated her entire 30-plus-year critical care nursing career to Conway Medical Center, becoming the very picture of the nurse others pattern themselves after. As a stellar charge nurse who brings decades of expertise to the table, Sharon has been invaluable to the growth and acclimation of new graduates on her unit, willingly sharing her vast array of nursing knowledge and skills with those just beginning their careers. She is honest even when it’s hard, earning the complete trust of staff who turn to her first for advice or help whenever she’s on duty.
What makes Sharon’s career truly remarkable is her unwavering commitment as a night shift warrior for over 20 years, advocating tirelessly for her patients and supporting new RNs both as a fellow bedside nurse and as a charge nurse. Despite being an exemplary team player who consistently goes the extra mile for patients and their families, Sharon rarely receives acknowledgment or thanks for her service—making this recognition all the more deserved. She is a light on her unit, bringing stability, wisdom, and clinical excellence to every shift. Her dedication to CMC and her profession represents the kind of lifetime achievement that the Dessie Wright Award was created to honor.
