Polk County and Adawehi community resident, Stephanie Oder, BSN, RN, recently received the Palmetto Gold Award,

the highest honor that annually recognizes excellence in nursing practice and professionalism in South Carolina.

Oder was one of only 100 nurses selected through an intensely competitive, statewide nomination and ranking process that involved hundreds of outstanding nurses. The nominees were evaluated by their employers, peers and professional organizations across a wide variety of healthcare settings and specialties.

Oder was saluted for her dedication to advancing the care of elders in the region through her dynamic education programs. She created and facilitated one-on-one coaching, skills building and seminars for hospital staff, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

She has educated more than 300 professionals and families in dementia and eldercare issues, provided development for new nurse leaders, been a nursing home administrator, and has overseen a geriatric psychiatric unit. Through her focus on patient-centered care, Oder promoted and developed environments that maintained high patient satisfaction and low staff turnover.