Two uplifting stories from the Mid-Ohio Valley showcase the strength of community, compassion, and care — one celebrating the selfless dedication of nurses, and the other marking a new chapter in services for children and families.
Last week, as part of National Nurses Week, WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center recognized its outstanding nursing and clinical staff. It was a moment to express deep gratitude for the critical role nurses play — not just in hospitals, but across the entire healthcare system.
Camden Clark President and CEO Sean Smith made that point clear during the celebration. “You are so impactful and so influential,” Smith said. “You are not only caregivers, but you are policymakers, educators, and you mean so much to the point where if you took nursing away, healthcare would collapse.”
Among the many professionals honored were:
- Chelsea Mathews of the Cath Lab, named Registered Nurse of the Year
- Lacey McCoullough of 4 North, honored as Rookie Registered Nurse of the Year
- Melinda Burgess of the CVU, awarded Patient Care Technician of the Year
- Shynel Kehle of 3 North, named Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year
- Caitlin Shears of Internal Medicine Southgate, chosen as Clinic LPN of the Year
- Brittney Boley of Endocrinology, recognized as Certified Medical Assistant of the Year
- Kathleen Parsons of Occupational Health, named Clinic RN of the Year
Chief Nursing Officer Carol Grove summed up the sentiment perfectly: “Nursing is truly more than a profession, it is a calling.” For patients throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley, these recognitions reflect the tireless and compassionate care they receive every day.
Meanwhile, a different kind of care was celebrated nearby as the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia officially marked the transformation of the former Worthington Elementary School into The Heart of Worthington. This new space allows the organization to better serve the region’s most vulnerable — children and families in need.
“This is a monumental historical day,” said CEO Mary White at the open house event. “We knew we needed someplace for growth so we could take care of more children and more families.”
Though the facility has been open since November 2024, last week’s event was the symbolic ribbon-cutting moment that signaled a new era of service. The organization is now actively fundraising to renovate the gym, further expanding what the center can offer to young people in the community.
“Our mission is to promote the well-being of children,” said Director of Programming Denise Hughes. “We work with families to keep families together, work on problems that might work against the families, and more.”
The expansion of the Children’s Home Society’s presence in Worthington means more support, more programming, and more hope for local families. As with the nurses at Camden Clark, this work is grounded in dedication, heart, and a commitment to lifting up others.
Together, these stories remind us that care comes in many forms — from hospital rooms to community centers — and that the people of the Mid-Ohio Valley are never short on compassion or courage.
