Eleven MUSC Health nurses from the Pee Dee named among South Carolina’s top 100

FLORENCE, S.C. (May 1, 2025) – The South Carolina Nurses Foundation, a coalition of nursing organizations in the state, has honored 11 registered nurses from MUSC Health Florence, Marion and Black River medical centers as part of South Carolina’s top 100 nurses, awarding them the prestigious Palmetto Gold Award.

Palmetto Gold is a statewide nurse recognition program that honors registered nurses who embody the highest standards of excellence in nursing practice and demonstrate unparalleled dedication to their profession, patients and communities. Nominations are received from employers and peers from a variety of nursing education and health care settings across the state. The selected nurses were honored at a formal gala on April 26 and presented with a specially designed Palmetto Gold pin and certificate.

“To every nurse striving to make a difference, know that your dedication matters, your compassion is felt and your excellence does not go unnoticed,” said Patricia McLeod, interim chief nursing officer for MUSC Health Florence, Marion and Black River medical centers and a former Palmetto Gold recipient. “I encourage each of you to continue leading with purpose and practicing with integrity.”

2025 Palmetto Gold winners

MUSC Health Marion Medical Center

Angela Thompson, Mullins Nursing Center
Whitney Hewett
Eboni Johnson

MUSC Health Florence Medical Center

Gwendolyn Lowery
Felicia McQueen
Joanalyn Nobleza
Christi Stubbs

MUSC Health Black River Medical Center

Brandy Hysong
Milton Richards
Brittany Walker
Kim James

Nurses at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center have been among those recognized each year since the Palmetto Gold program was established in 2002.

Gwen Lowery, a nurse on the seventh-floor progressive care unit at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center, said while she’s honored to receive the award, she wouldn’t have been a nurse for almost 44 years if she didn’t love what she does.

“Anything I do that’s nursing related is not for accolades. I enjoy what I do. I think it makes it worthwhile; it’s not just a job. I’m sure there are others far more deserving than me, but I’m pleased about it,” said Lowery.

In addition to recognizing individual achievement, the Palmetto Gold program is a cornerstone for advancing nursing education in South Carolina. Proceeds from the annual gala help to fund scholarships for every registered nurse undergraduate program in the state.

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About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $7.1 billion. The 31,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.