Celebrating Our Exceptional Nurses

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To celebrate National Nurses Week this year, we spotlighted eight inspiring nurses from throughout the Novant Health system. Each nurse was selected based on their dedication to providing remarkable care, and for going above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Browse the stories below to learn more about these remarkable nurses.

She’ll Be Supporting Moms at New Kernersville Maternity Program

January 10, 2024

Night after night, 12-year-old Jessica Thornton watched the nurses in action. She spent a lot of time at her friend’s side as he recovered from surgery after surgery to address genetic complications.

Breast cancer patient grateful for navigator who was at her side

May 18, 2023

Karen Adams is thankful for the empowerment she gained from having cancer. Today, she’s helping other women fight their battles

New Hanover hospital team saved college student’s life. Now she wants to join them.

March 27, 2023

After COVID nearly killed her, freshman switched career plans to study respiratory therapy

Sheila and Dan Saklad Help the Next Generation of Nurses

July 28, 2022

Sheila Saklad’s life was shaped by a passion for nursing — a passion that continues to touch the lives of others.

Community Health Worker Goes Where She’s Needed, Including Home Visits

July 1, 2022

When families face big obstacles, community health care workers are there.

Becoming a Leader in Pediatric Care

February 16, 2022

When asked to name a nurse who personified the culture of caring at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital during 2021, top leaders point to Morgan Hunt, RN, BSN, CPN.

‘I’m Going to Change So Many Lives.’

November 16, 2021

This month, Courtney Spangler achieved a dream decades in the making: She graduated from nursing school

Well-being and resiliency program aimed at professional burnout

September 10, 2021

Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Foundation was awarded a $410,000 grant from The Duke Endowment to implement a well-being and resiliency program focused on front-line nurses who experience high rates of professional burnout.

The Duke Endowment is helping address nurse burnout

September 8, 2021

The Duke Endowment is helping address nurse burnout.

Roots of remarkable care

June 30, 2021

Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing alumni reflect on school’s legacy, lessons learned

Nurse in chief

May 4, 2021

Nikki Nissen leads with gratitude and humility.

Julie Guentner: Born a nurse

May 4, 2021

Meet the ‘mama bear’ of Hemby Children’s Hospital.

Mel McMillan: ‘Music is like medicine’

May 4, 2021

Meet the nurse with a song in her heart.

A portrait of heroes

April 20, 2021

Nurses at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center worked tirelessly to care for others in unprecedented times.

A nurse’s courage

April 20, 2021

Wendy Cort, a registered nurse, cherishes the brave team who saved her from COVID-19.

Family Connects helps mothers across the county

November 20, 2020

Family Connects, a postpartum nurse home visit program in Forsyth and Davidson counties, provides free home visit services to all Forsyth County and Davidson County mothers and newborns

When your health care provider lands you a new home

August 17, 2020

How Novant Health team members work to eradicate disparities.

‘When I come to work at Novant Health, they see a nurse. They don’t see a Black nurse’

July 2, 2020

When Angela Davis was 18 years old, she met a nurse who changed her life. She was living in Sumter, South Carolina, and had just given birth to her first child.

Finding a path forward

May 21, 2020

Around Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, most people know Sarah Farmer. She’s a local — born and raised in Brunswick — and a nurse. When Brunswick County natives come to the hospital, they will often ask for her.

Making #CLTStrong

May 20, 2020

Since the start of the pandemic, Caroline Elliott has raised more than $85,000 to feed front-line workers in the fight against COVID-19. It’s a campaign that has taken on a life of its own since its launch back in March, gaining momentum, attracting volunteers and making an impact.

‘We’re beating this’

May 8, 2020

It sounded like a burglar alarm. Cindy Little was at her former church in Charleston, South Carolina, when she heard it. She wasn’t sure where it was coming from, but she knew something was up.

Finding purpose in a pandemic

May 8, 2020

The patient couldn’t breathe. He had come into the emergency room still able to speak. Then, all of a sudden, he was slipping in and out of consciousness. It all felt like a dream. But somewhere in that dream, he knew Amanda Chilton would do whatever it took to save him.

Right place, wrong job

May 8, 2020

Debbie Daniels has been part of Novant Health since she was 16 years old. She started in accounts payable. Her mom worked in that department and helped get Daniels a part-time job that she kept through high school and as she went off to college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Infection prevention in the time of COVID-19

May 7, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic may have taken the world by storm in 2020, but Heather Ridge has been preparing for this moment her entire career.

‘Leaders are made in moments like this’

May 5, 2020

When you ask Rob Stumbo about the most poignant moment in his nursing career, he takes you back to 2018.

For newly minted nurse Savannah Hayes, COVID-19 is a ‘baptism by fire’

April 16, 2020

On Good Friday, Savannah Hayes drove into work at the COVID-19 screening center at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center with a basket of eggs in the seat next to her.

Caring for those who care for us

April 15, 2020

What happens when a critical care nurse on the front lines of COVID-19 is also a mother to a son with special needs.

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Click below to make a donation to the Hope for Remarkable Team Aubergine Fund in support of our team members.

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Thank You, Nurses!

Thank you to all of our nurses, and all of our healthcare professionals, who are suiting up every day ready for battle, rising up as heroes to serve our communities in their time of greatest need.

$10,684,263

Presbyterian Medical Center Foundation
$223,357

Brunswick Medical Center Foundation
$376,867

Thomasville Medical Center Foundation
$3,113,153

Forsyth Medical Center Foundation
$2,610,643

Rowan Medical Center Foundation
$2,223,588

New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation
$6,737,196

Grants
$1,053,827

System Initiatives
$27,022,894

Total Giving
* 2023 Data

Celebrating Our Exceptional Nurses

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Thank You, Nurses!

Funding Highlights