Sandy is the exemplar of an excellent nurse. She displays her heart for nursing in all that she does. She is a nurturer, an encourager, a teacher, a mentor, and a leader with just the right touch to educate and provide feedback, even in difficult situations. She brings the humor we need during stressful circumstances. We can count on Sandy to bring a smile to our faces with every interaction. The door to her office is always open with a chair waiting for those moments when I need a “Sandy fix.”

To know Sandy is to love her! Sandy has served in a variety of areas in nursing. She has served our community in the role of a school nurse and as an Educator of Healthcare Science. She has worked numerous hours in the Emergency Department as a staff nurse and as the Emergency Department Director. Currently, Sandy serves as the Director of our Education Department and oversees the Gordon County School Nurse Program. She has touched the lives of many people, both patients, fellow nurses, and colleagues during her career. The Service Standard of Love Me is a perfect fit for Sandy. She loves genuinely with compassionate, Christ-like love. She is a prayer warrior and includes prayer in decision-making, seeking the Lord’s guidance.

My personal experience with Sandy was via an impromptu interview for a position in the Education Department. She asked some very thought-provoking questions. At that time, I had not considered going back to school to obtain my BSN. During our time together, she asked me about my long-term career goals and encouraged me to strongly consider obtaining the BSN degree. She had also recently graduated with an MSN in Nursing Education and could relate to my many reasons for not going back. During the process of applying for a position in the Education Department on two separate occasions and not being chosen, I knew that I needed to further my education to grow professionally and for other nursing opportunities. She said, “M, you need to do this. It may not change a thing you do at the bedside, but it will give you that something “extra” you are seeking.”

I have the pleasure of working with Sandy in my new role in the Quality Department. She consistently reminds me that I am exactly where I need to be. I did graduate with a BSN in May of 2021. Completing that degree was one of the most challenging educational experiences of my life; I made it with Sandy’s words overshadowing my journey and lots of prayer! She is genuinely a mentor and friend. A fitting quote for Sandy is from Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you say, people will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you make them feel.”