2018 SER of the WOCN® Society Awards


Woc Nurse of the Year

Kimberly Benton BSN, RN, CWOCN

Resides in Walterboro, SC
Works at Amedisys Home Health
 
Kimberly Benton
Kimberly Benton

Rookie of the Year

Jason Pratt BSN, RN, CWOCN

Resides in Montgomery, AL
Works at Jackson Hospital
Graduate of Emory University WOCNEP: Certified Nov 2016
Jason Pratt
Jason Pratt

SC State Recognition Award

Katherine F. Jeter EdD, MA, BS

Jason Pratt
Jason Pratt

Dr. Jeter is one of the chartering members of the WOCN Society (formerly the IAET). She has been a leader in the Society at the regional and national level. She has been on the lecture circuit speaking as a respected expert in wounds, ostomies and continence. She has published hundreds of articles, scientific papers, and chapters in books. These publications cover incontinence, ostomies and wound management. She was the founder of Help for Incontinent People Inc. (HIP), a nonprofit organization to help incontinent individuals. For many years she served as the Executive Director of HIP while she was running an incontinence clinic. She was actively involved as a mentor in the United Ostomy Association. She served as a clinical instructor for WOC students. She was involved very early in the development and testing of NPWT in the United States.


$1200 Conference Scholarship Awards

Kimberly Benton
BSN, RN, CWON
Resides in South Carolina

Kimberly Benton

"The SER conference in Myrtle Beach this year was phenomenal, from the topics presented down to the hospitality of the staff. We had a great conference packed with valuable information, the newest and greatest products as well as an abundance of knowledge to use in our work settings. I especially liked the pre-conference session on Lower extremity/foot assessment and management. I get a lot of diabetic foot ulcers and venous wounds in home health and this really intrigued me. I learned a lot of great key assessment tips to follow and to bring back to my clinicians at my offices. I cover two rural home health offices in South Carolina and am limited in my resources for my patients in most situations. Conference allows me to expand my knowledge as well as benefits the clinicians and patients that I serve in my career setting. I am grateful for the opportunity to come to conference and look forward to utilizing the knowledge and resources I obtained while there. Thank you again."
Kimberly Benton RN, BSN, CWOCN.

Candi Haggard
BSN, RN, CWOCN
Resides in Tennessee

Candi Haggard

I would like to thank the SER WOCN society for awarding me a scholarship to attend conference this year. I had not been able to attend in a few years and WOW, I had forgotten what I had been missing! I was able to listen to speakers present topics that I have not personally researched, as well as engage with fellow WOC nurses who share a common passion as myself. Going to conference has renewed my excitement in my work and helped me regain my focus. I’m so grateful it wasn’t canceled due to Hurricane Florence or I would have surely missed out.
Thank you, Candi Haggard

Becky Mallonee
BSN, RN, CWOCN
Resides in Georgia

Becky Mallonee

Every year I wait with anticipation for the SER of the WOCN annual conference to roll around. How exciting it is for me to participate in such a well –attended conference with other WOC nurses. Reservations and registrations are made as soon as I receive the email announcing conference registration is "Now Open". If someone were to ask me "Are you going?" I always respond by saying "Of course!" It's great meeting again with old acquaintances, sharing stories of successes and failures, and learning about new innovations in wound, ostomy and skin care. I count this year's conference as a huge success. The location was wonderful and not too long a distance for those of us who chose to drive. Room accommodations were comfortable, and the food was good. I am so grateful to have been able to attend and to be awarded a scholarship. I attended all the symposiums, general sessions, visited the poster gallery and visited the vendor booths multiple times. The best parts for me though were the lectures. The topics were outstanding, educational and entertaining. I am looking forward to what will happen in Columbus, Georgia next year. See you there!
Becky Mallonee, BSN, RN, CWOCN

Therese McVey
BSN, RN, CWON
Resides in Florida

Therese McVey

I want to express my gratitude for receiving the SER scholarship that enabled me to attend “Navigating Waves of Change” in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. I thoroughly enjoyed the conference! The hotel was beautiful and the exhibit hall was great! I was able to connect with some old friends and make some new friends too! All of the sessions were interesting and the speakers were terrific! I gained a lot of knowledge that I could bring back directly to my clinic and apply to my practice. I enjoyed the posters and was impressed with the information and hard work that was put into them. I enjoyed visiting with the vendors and learning more about their products. I found the sponsored symposium’s both engaging and enjoyable. I was given the opportunity to volunteer at the WOCNB table. It was a great experience! I got to meet so many other clinicians and share information about the WOCNB! I would highly recommend it! I feel very fortunate to be included in such a professional and caring organization. The conference was a great way to network with other nurses that share the same passion for WOCN nursing! I am really looking forward to SER’s next year’s conference in Columbus, GA.
Sincerely, Therese McVey BSN, RN, CWON

Julie Tyrrell
MSN, CRNP, CWCN
Resides in Alabama

Julie Tyrrell

This was my first time attending the SER WOCN conference, and I had an amazing experience. I had such a great opportunity to meet many enthusiastic WOC nurses, learn from each other, and network with people from different areas. I enjoyed the Pre-Conference #1 workshop. Definitely, I will apply the knowledge gained to improve my practice; many tricks and tips on fistula management and pouching of difficult stoma with wounds; WOCN Society's Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide (PSAG) for Clinicians was eye-opening. Dr. Jeter gave such an inspirational speech, taught us about the history of the WOCN Society and revealed the improbable genesis of the WOCN Society. Because the WOCNs were "Born of patients' suffering and discomfort" the WOCNs are always passionate in caring for their patients. Also, the WOCNs are "Energized by the surgeon's frustration with inadequate care. We are the "most valuable sailors" on the ship and thanks to Dr. Jeter for guiding us to navigate the waves.
Julie Tyrrell MSN, CRNP, CWCN


Dorothy Doughty Education Scholarship Awards

Advanced Practice

Lauren White, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CCRN

Resides in Ranburne, AL
Works at Tanner Medical Center
Pursuing MSN at West Georgia University

Lauren White

WOCNEP

Daniel L. Davis II, BBA, BSN, RN

Resides in Florence, AL
Works at Amedisys Home Health
Enrolled at Emory University WOCNEC

Daniel Davis

Stephanie Garcia, BSN, RN

Resides in Jupiter, FL
Works at Jupiter Medical Center
Enrolled at Emory University WOCNEC

Stephanie Garcia

Sarah Gibson, BSN, RN

Resides in Newland, NC Works at Appalachian Regional Health Care-Wound Care Center
Enrolled at Emory University WOCNEC

Sarah Gibson