Local nurses recognized for National Nurses Week

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, and we asked our community to share with us their favorite nurse to recognize them for the care they provide. Here are the responses we received.

Janet C. Durgin

Janet C. Durgin, 102 years young, retired after nursing in South Carolina for over 30 years. She earned her RN through the Cadet Nurse Corps Program, established during World War II. Mrs. Durgin's service was honored by the Military Women's Memorial, in Washington, D.C., with a Living Legend Proclamation "for her service to the nation during World War II, from 1944 to 1947, followed by thirty years of service to her community as a civilian nurse. Her willingness to serve her country when nurses were critically short was vital to the war effort and invaluable to her community in the following years. By volunteering to serve, she blazed a trail for millions of women to follow and serve the nation in peace and war." Mrs. Durgin's influence is directly felt in South Carolina by not only many patients she nursed, but also her daughter and granddaughter now serving as nurses. She is my favorite nurse!

- Lt. Col. Barb Kucharczyk, USAF retired S.C. Ambassador, Military Women's Memorial

India Nelson

India is kind and compassionate. Her smile and gentle personality will lift your spirit. She is dedicated to her patients and treats them with the utmost respect.

Kassandra Shannon

Kassandra's positive attitude, personality and radiant smile heals just as much if not more than the meds. Her love for the job is evident every time she enters a room.

Jenna Sutton

She's the best! She cares for her patients deeply. She truly embodies who a nurse is!

Margaret Walker

Mrs. Margaret is one of one! You cannot find a more thorough, knowledgeable, more passionate nurse. At her tender age, I keep encouraging her to go to med school. Her quick wit always silences that suggestion. Her professional career expands from the ER to Veterans Affairs and everything in between! I am so grateful to know and have her in my life!

Darrell Nelson Jr.

Darrell is a new nurse, but if you would ask his patients, they would say no way. He treats each patient like they were his only patient. He talks to his patients about their interests and tells them about his; you would think they were old-time friends.

Javondra Wright

Javondra received the Daisy Award at Prisma Health Tuomey. She has represented this award and its meaning every day on or off the job with her character, conduct and conversation. She is a pleasure to be around. She treats every patient with dignity and respect. You will not catch Javondra without her smile.

Missy Jenkins

Missy has a smile that will brighten up any room! She's very compassionate, thorough, caring and very smart. She's an all-around nurse!

Adrian C. Sims, MSN, BSN, RN, AOD (nursing supervisor)

Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, Sumter, 21 years

Nurses are health care professionals that are responsible for providing patient care and support. Adrian's role in the health care system as a nursing supervisor is very important. Amazing nurses like Adrian make the profound difference every day. She's truly an awesome advocate for the health care world. She goes above the call of duty to be certain patients' needs are met. She's dependable, dedicated and a great leader. She was nominated and won Best of Sumter Nursing in 2023. She possesses so much dedication and strength to navigate during all types of medical emergencies. Thank you, Adrian, for your many sacrifices and being the excellent nurse that you are. You are truly the best, and you're appreciated for all that you do.

Ashley Moore Newman

A great pediatric nurse!