Outstanding Public Health Nurse Award

Ruth Willard DNP, MBA, RN, BC
Director of Nursing
Kentucky Department for Public Health

We are proud to announce that this year’s recipient of this prestigious statewide nursing honor has been selected for exceptional performance in public health practice across the Commonwealth.

Public Health Nursing advances and safeguards the health of entire communities by integrating nursing, social, and public health sciences. This year’s honoree exemplifies that mission in every aspect of her work. Throughout her distinguished career, she has strengthened public health systems, championed evidence-based practice, and advanced innovative approaches that improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities across our state.

A visionary leader with deep clinical expertise and unwavering compassion, she has been instrumental in elevating public health nursing practice. Her strategic leadership has supported the professional growth of nurses, expanded access to care for underserved populations, and strengthened the resilience of the public health workforce. She is widely respected not only for her accomplishments but also for her integrity, mentorship, and ability to inspire collaboration and innovation. Her commitment to community engagement and professional service has left a lasting impact on both the nursing profession and the communities it serves. Her work embodies excellence in practice, advocacy, and leadership, reflecting the very best of public health nursing in our commonwealth.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Ruth Willard, recipient of the Outstanding Public Health Nurse Award.

Carolyn Swisshelm, RN
Communicable Disease Nurse
Northern Kentucky District Health Department

Carolyn Swisshelm has dedicated her career to public health nursing. She always displays exceptional skill, dedication and consistently goes above and beyond her normal duties. She is dogged in her pursuit of taking care of the citizens in her area, working tirelessly to get the job done. Her exceptional attention to detail, swiftly and expertly investigating diseases and following up with control measures is unmatched. This has never been better demonstrated and more urgently needed than during a December-January human rabies case investigation. Her prompt investigation and pursuit of public safety over the holidays is unmatched. Over Christmas Eve, Christmas day and every day for the next several weeks, Carolyn played a crucial role in coordinating with local, state, federal health officials, ensuring rapid risk assessment, exposure evaluations of over 300 people, and timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis. Her ability to communicate effectively with healthcare providers, family members of the patient, and external partners was instrumental in mitigating further risk and ensuring a timely response.

Carolyn's extensive knowledge and meticulous approach in handling the case were instrumental in managing the situation and ensuring public safety. Her commitment to public health and her relentless pursuit of the highest standards in disease investigation make her an invaluable asset to our community. She is chosen for this award due to her outstanding and unwavering dedication to public health, going above and beyond in a complex and urgent situation, along with a lifetime of distinguished service.

Keila Mendez Galindo, RN, BSN
Public Health Nurse
North Central District Health Department

Although she started nursing in the private sector, public health was her calling. She began her public health journey on the community health education team but accepted opportunities to grow in other areas within the health department by cross training with the Women, Infants and Childrens (WIC) and Vaccine for Children’s (VFC) programs. Eventually, she came to the clinic setting at a time when nurse staffing was down. She stepped up and became a much-needed mentor for the nursing staff, showing leadership and compassion in the position. This brought the added responsibilities of Tuberculosis Case Manager, Lead Case Manager, and the Vaccine for Children’s program. Proving her adaptability with the ever-changing employment turnover in public health nursing, she has consistently performed above expectations, sharing her knowledge while providing mentorship for others. Her coworkers often commend her willingness to help them through difficult topics or situations. And her empathy with patients has been commended by both her coworkers and her superiors.

Her unwavering commitment to providing education, tools, and resources for all counties of the North Central District has made a profound impact for the underserved, elderly, and quite large Hispanic community. Her passion for bilingual health education, healthcare equality and vaccine advocacy has played a crucial role in restoring trust in the public health system. The way she actively engages and educates community members not only raises awareness but also instills a sense of renewed confidence, making people feel they can rely on us. She has made us proud to work alongside her. She is said to have a heart for public health and to always be up to the task at hand.

Andrea Flinchum, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Janice Bright, RN, BSN
Maternal and Child Health Nurse Service Administrator
Kentucky Department of Public Health

For over 20 years, this year’s recipient has dedicated her time to serving families, children, and infants across the Commonwealth through maternal and child health initiatives. She has worked in a variety of settings, including school health services, the Office of Children with Special Health Care Needs, Shriners Hospital, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, Kentucky Children’s Hospital and most recently, the Kentucky Department for Public Health. In these roles, she has assisted with federal audits, developed policies to strengthen facility response in emergency situations, and has navigated difficult situations such as nursing shortages and budget shortfalls.

Letters of support use the following descriptors:

• “true advocate for her coworkers and the Kentuckians that public health serves.”
• “never too busy to help solve a problem or lend a sympathetic ear.”
• “makes me feel supported, heard, and cared for. I am a better nurse because of her.”
• “constantly builds our team up, while reminding us of our mission to improve the lives of those we serve. She is a true leader.”

Michelle Searcy, BSN, RN
Nurse Supervisor II
Franklin County Health Department

Caring, empathetic, attention to detail, a problem solver, patient advocate, good communicator, has a sense of humor are traits that describe this public health nurse. She has had a passion for public health nursing in both the school health and clinic setting over her nearly 20 years of service to KY Local Health Departments in Anderson Co, North Central District and now, Franklin Co. She has always been eager to assist other LHDs with reportable disease investigations, the sharing of services or training.

She is a certified CPR instructor, an ERRT member, serves on local advisory boards, contributes to QI, the Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan, and agency Strategic and Emergency Operations Plans. She demonstrates an understanding of enforcing public health laws and regulations for the protection of public health. She shows a dedication to lifelong learning having earned her BSN six years ago, completed KPHLI and constantly mentors nursing and public health interns and encourages and supports staff participation in KPHA and KPHLI ensuring a competent public health workforce. She reminds all team members that, “Family comes first.”

She began the school health program in Franklin County in 2010 and is the Nurse Supervisor. But like many in the public health system, her role dramatically changed during the pandemic. With schools closing, she did not skip a beat when volunteering herself and her team to staff and operate her health department’s Department of Operations as investigators. She has taken on many roles during this pandemic from investigator, tester, to immunizer and even a celebrity as the “Capitol Nurse.” She has provided statewide televised public speeches concerning the importance of prevention and vaccination.

She is dedicated, an excellent nurse, putting others first. She has said on many occasions "What is our purpose here? It is to provide knowledgeable, passionate care for everyone we have contact with.” She can be quoted as saying, “I was just the one available when we were asked for assistance,” giving credit to others, but she is always the first to volunteer assistance whenever help is needed.

Marci Flechler, MSN, RN
Nurse Administrator
Bullitt County Health Department

This year’s nominee for Outstanding Public Health Nurse Award demonstrates a true dedication to public health through her tenure of service. During her time in the field, she has served in many different capacities: HANDS manager, nurse administrator, accreditation coordinator and interim director.

During the Hepatitis A outbreak, the nominee and her local epidemiologist received a prestigious promising practice award for their contributions to contact investigation and administration of hepatitis A vaccine to inmates at their county correctional facility. Her work with the county jailer helped to improve the health of incarcerated individuals and mitigate illness within the facility.

Supporters of our nominee state “she is always available to lend a hand, lead others with confidence, provide structure when it’s needed, and is always there to find the next solution. She is a valuable resource to her direct staff and provides additional support to others throughout the health department when needed”.

Congratulations to Marci Flechler, Nurse Administrator with the Bullitt Co HD.

• 2019: Virginia Kelly Allen, RN
• 2018: Sue Thomas-Cox, BS, RN, CCM, CPHM
• 2017: Sally Brunner
• 2016: Carolyn Lyons
• 2015: Carla Basanta
• 2014: Deborah Ann Jones
• 2013: Peggy Tiller
• 2012: Rinda Vanderhoof
• 2011: Amy Meternowksi
• 2010: Carla Baumann
• 2009: Margaret Stevens-Jones
• 2008: Judy Payne, RN
• 2007: Anna Katherine Mefford, RN
• 2006: Eula Spears, RN
• 2005: Donna Turner, RN
• 2004: Dora Lander, RN
• 2003: Janita Perry, RN
• 2002: Ann Ratliff, RN
• 2001: Lisa Abner, RN
• 2000: None Given
• 1999: Evelyn Jones, RN
• 1998: Carrie Branham, RN
• 1997: Kay Stanton, RN
• 1996: Annette Castle, RN
• 1995: Judy Scott, RN
• 1994: Linda S. Webb, RN
• 1993: Sara Eakles, RN
• 1992: Donna Jo Woods, ARNP
• 1991: Bettie White, RN
• 1990: Faye Hensley, MS, RN
• 1989: Mary Lee Montgomery, RN
• 1988: Mary F. Criswell, RN
• 1987: Anges Baronowski, RN
• 1986: Lucille Norris, RN
• 1985: Not Awarded
• 1984: Viola D. Brown, ARNP
• 1983: Ellen M. Buchart, RN
• 1982: Rhenda K. Mills, RN
• 1981: Mary Holstrom, RN
• 1980: Ida Whitledge, RN