May 20, 2019 – Southeast Georgia Health System is pleased to welcome
Joyce C. Kirkman, R.N., MSN as its newest
Camden Advisory Committee member. Kirkman succeeds Mark Kevan, who served on the Advisory Committee
since May 2004.
With her experience as a critical care nurse and nursing director at several
large medical centers, Kirkman brings a unique perspective to her role
with the Advisory Committee. “It’s wonderful that the Camden
Advisory committee recognizes the importance of nurses’ feedback
and experiences at the committee level,” says Kirkman. “As
a former nursing director, I’m familiar with budgeting, hospital
regulations and Joint Commission standards. My background as a bedside
nurse informs my perspective on patient care. My combined experience of
patient care and administration will allow me to help implement the Health
System’s mission to provide safe, quality, accessible and cost-effective
care to meet the health needs of the people and communities it serves.”
Kirkman received a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in nursing
from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In her 40-year career,
she has managed hospital-wide education and research services, worked
as an ICU and trauma nurse, and served as director of an Emergency Department.
After searching the East Coast for a suitable place to retire, Kirkman
and her husband, Andy, found St. Marys in 2003 and moved there full time
in 2014. “We wanted to stay on the East Coast to be near family
in Florida and North Carolina. We liked the Cumberland Island seashore
and the uniqueness of downtown St. Marys. We both grew up in small towns
in North Carolina, so St. Marys was a good fit. It’s a hidden gem
that balances historical significance and new growth.”
When she’s not spending time with her two grown children and four
grandchildren, Kirkman enjoys biking, boating and traveling with her husband.
After retiring from Baptist Medical Center in downtown Jacksonville where
she worked as an ICU nurse, Kirkman wanted to use her skills in the Camden
community. “One of the concerns I have is that people don’t
realize what the Southeast Georgia Health System
Camden Campus has to offer. I’m not certain if the community realizes all of the
hospital resources that are available.” She cites a new service
for patients presenting at the Camden Campus
Emergency Care Center with
stroke symptoms. Thanks to a unique partnership, those patients can now be evaluated via
telemedicine by a neurologist at Baptist Medical Center. Patients can
be treated at the Health System’s Camden Campus or, if necessary,
expedited to Baptist’s certified stroke facility.
Kirkman also hopes to raise awareness of positive patient experiences by
encouraging the public to review their experience online. “Consumers
are quite knowledgeable nowadays, so it’s important for the hospital
to have many online reviews. My neighbors tell me they always read Healthgrades’
online reviews when looking for doctors or medical services.” She
would also like to address nursing retention rates, an issue of concern
for many hospitals, including the Camden Campus. “My first priorities,
however, will be learning more about the Health System and its goals.
Camden is in a very good position to grow within our community. I’m
looking forward to contributing to that growth.”
“We deeply appreciate Mr. Kevan’s dedicated service to the
Advisory Committee and his ongoing support of the Health System,” says
Michael D. Scherneck, president and chief executive officer, Southeast Georgia Health System.
“And we are very pleased to welcome Ms. Kirkman to our Advisory
Committee. Her enthusiasm and expertise will be invaluable as we continue
improving the patient experience and expanding services for our Camden
Campus patients.”
The
Advisory Committee currently consists of nine members. Members volunteer their time to assist the
Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital Authority in overseeing the Health System’s Camden Campus. In addition to
Kirkman, Advisory Committee members are: James "Jim" B. Lomis,
chair; Gary D. Willis, vice chair; Jeffery “Jeff” B. Barker;
Thomas A. Headlee; Clainetta Jefferson; Juliette “Judy” Smith-Burris; and,
Thomas C. Whitesell Jr., M.D., Camden Campus Chief of Staff.