Tuesday, August 26, 2008
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Of the thousands of talented nurses throughout North Carolina, Kellie Harney was one of the 100 chosen for her outstanding nursing care and dedication to the profession.
“I am completely humbled by this honor,” Harney said. “I truly feel that is not me that deserves this award but all the wonderful, compassionate nurses that I work with on a day to day basis. Without them I would not be half the nurse I am.”
Harney has been a nurse for 10 years and with Presbyterian Hospital for 11 years. She is the manager of the Forensics Program at Presbyterian Hospital. She evaluates and treats victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, trauma (as a result of a criminal act), and child abuse. The sexual assault program is 24/7 day a week response team that is on call to respond to rape victims. Harney currently oversees the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) staff, which currently consists of a staff of 12 nurses.
“I am in the unique situation of being able to empower patients after some of the most unfortunate circumstances have just happened to them,” Harney explained. “It makes me feel great to know the SANE nurses and myself can take the time to spend with these patients and give them the best opportunity to allow them to start taking back control.”
Harney is also responsible for the education of the emergency department staff in regards to medical forensics. This includes injury identification with the use of digital photography, proper evidence collection techniques, and how to work collaboratively with community resources. She works within the community doing presentations and providing education for community awareness.
“I have tremendous support from the administration of the hospital, senior leadership along with the director of emergency services has provided me with the honor of doing a job that I absolutely love,” Harney said. “Administration supports the value of my role and the forensic program to our community. No one person is successful alone it is the team that the success should be bestowed upon.”
Harney will be honored for the award at the 2008 Gala Event, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. The Gala will be held in Greensboro at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center.
The Great 100, Inc. acknowledges 100 North Carolina nurses annually for excellence in patient care and their dedication to the nursing profession. The Great 100, Inc., based in Greensboro, N.C., is a grassroots organization founded in 1988 to honor the nursing profession. It seeks to recognize the vital role of nurses in patient care, have a positive effect on the public image of nurses and the nursing field, recognize outstanding nurses on an annual basis and award scholarships for nursing education.
