Here are the finalists in the 2014 Health Care Heroes Nurse category.

Honors a nurse whose performance is considered exemplary by patients, peers and other health care providers.
 

Ted Horton

TITLE: Clinical manager

ORGANIZATION: Well Care Home Health

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Ted is always professional, kind and uplifting. He rarely complains and is always encouraging and ready to help when needed. He is the glue that holds the team together! Ted is deserving of recognition for the acts of kindness he performs every day!”

According to his bio, Horton graduated from Southeastern Community College with an associate degree in nursing. Horton has worked for Well Care Home Health for the past 11 years in various roles as director for the home health and home care sides, director of education and currently as clinical manager.

He previously worked at Saint Eugene’s Community Hospital in Dillon, South Carolina. In 1988, he started in the home health field with Comprehensive Home Health Care and also has worked for Interim Health Care.

He has been recognized as Professional of the Year by the N.C. Association for Home and Hospice Care and served on the group’s executive committee and professional committee. Horton has also served on the National Users Group for Horizon Homecare’s board of directors and co-chaired its clinical committee.
 

JeanLynn King

TITLE: Case management supervisor

ORGANIZATION: Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “JeanLynn King, RN, has served the case management department at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center for 15 years. Now, as the supervisor of case management at Brunswick Medical Center, JeanLynn leads the discharge planning effort and serves as a liaison between the physicians and the families to come up with the best
plan of action for each patient.

In a complicated medical environment, JeanLynn is relentless in her efforts to find resources for patients in need. She is particularly helpful to our behavioral health patients, who may go through long waits to transition to another facility, and to our elderly patients, who often need
extensive follow-up care.

JeanLynn is committed to her patients and their families, and that care often goes beyond the walls of the hospital. It is not unusual for her to follow up with her patients when
they have transitioned home or to another facility.

On a daily basis, she is able to offer insights on nearly every patient in the medical center and is often a resource to physicians, nurses and the entire clinical team as they plan appropriate care for each patient.

To many patients, JeanLynn is the face they think of when they think of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.”
 

Angela Milliken

TITLE: LPN

ORGANIZATION: The Davis Community

WHAT THE NOMINATOR SAID: “Angela has worked in the health
care industry for more than 20 years and is now a valued part of the nursing team at The Davis
Community's Rehabilitation Pavilion.

She excels at handling end of life situations. Her intuition and dedication combine to provide her patients and that their families comfort and support during this most difficult time.

Whether holding a hand, or speaking softly to the patient and their family you will see Angela connect in a deeply personal way. She often stays past her shift to be with a resident during their final hours and whispers words of encouragement and gives each family a poem hope and peace.

She has written impressive poetry on the subject of Alzheimer's and the toll it takes on the person’s soul. Angela is so skilled in her work that she serves as a mentor to new nurses and they ‘shadow’ her to be able to learn how to do their work efficiently and with a personal touch.”