HealthLinks Charleston March/April 2023

96 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com T H E P U L S E O N CHARLESTON NURSES KATHERINE E. CHIKE-HARRIS, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, FNP-BC, CNE Katherine Chike-Harris, assistant professor with the Medical University of South Carolina’s doctoral nurses program, entered nursing because she wanted to provide care to the underserved and marginalized population. “I worked for a federally qualified health clinic immediately upon graduating with my master’s degree in nursing and worked with the underserved population. After six years of practice, I switched jobs to working in a school-based telehealth program, and that is where my love for telehealth blossomed.” Chike-Harris discovered that telehealth could expand care to areas where there are multiple barriers to quality health care for children. Telehealth enabled her to reach rural areas where there weren’t enough primary care providers and where distance posed a problem, especially for those without reliable transportation. As a full-time faculty member, Chike-Harris noted that she can “embolden the nurse practitioner students with the knowledge and skills of telehealth needed to address health care disparities and inequities.” Chike-Harris draws inspiration from people who are trying to make a positive difference in the world. “It doesn’t matter their age, background, race, religion, ethnicity or profession or the focus of their change,” she explained. “It takes a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort to initiate change, and I want to offer my small contributions by addressing social determinants of health.” One of Chike-Harris’ favorite memories was as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She was working at a pediatric primary care clinic and a 2-month old boy was brought in for his first well child visit. “I noticed that he had some mild nystagmus – rapid, involuntary movements of the eyes. I referred the infant to MUSC's Storm Eye for an evaluation," she explained. Months passed, the child’s condition worsened and there was still no visit to Storm Eye – until the infant’s six-month visit. While working with an advanced practice registered nurse student, we walked into the exam room, and I was delighted to see this happy child,” Chike-Harris continued. “Here was this healthy little boy with a brand-new pair of blue framed glasses. The infant was seen by Storm Eye. It warmed my heart; I felt like I conquered the world when the mother motioned toward me and told my student, ‘She saved my baby’s life.’” Chike-Harris is the consummate lifelong learner. She is currently working toward her Ph.D. in nursing. When she is not in school, she learns anything that sparks her curiosity – foreign languages; artistic techniques and methods; crocheting and knitting; woodworking; carpentry; and cooking. Her advice to future nurses? “Don’t lose yourself in nursing. Nurses usually have very giving personalities and may put themselves last,” she said. “It is important to care for yourself so you can continue to care for others.” CAROLYN JENKINS, DRPH, MSN, MS, RD, LD, FAAN One of Carolyn Jenkins’ most rewarding accomplishments as a registered nurse, an educator and a dietitian unfolded during a collaborative outreach venture to decrease diabetes-related foot and leg amputations in communities that spanned 1,800 square miles of Charleston and Georgetown counties. Jenkins developed the venture, secured a Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and gathered medical university and community partners. Through collaboration with five health systems and Community Health Advisor, the team worked with largely African American communities. “These efforts are led by Mrs. Florene Linnen and Joyce Linnen, who are currently volunteering with the Diabetes CORE Group in their communities,” Jenkins explained. “The REACH team of nurses and community members taught me so much about working effectively with communities. A team of nurses, dietitians and I taught the communities about diabetes. Together we can truly make a difference.” With 48 years of experience as a registered nurse and a professor emerita at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Jenkins has a vast number of rewarding experiences and favorite memories. From her sister’s journey to be a nurse that inspired Jenkins to follow to a simple, revealing comment by a nursing home resident, her memories continue to shape her life path. “I worked in nursing homes and hospitals. Then one day I entered a patient’s room as he was headed home,” Jenkins explained. “He was newly diagnosed with diabetes and said ‘just stick my diet in my pocket’ [when asked about his care and diet plan]. I realized that if I were a nurse, I could do more in teaching patients and improving their knowledge and potentially their health if I blended dietetics and nursing.” Jenkins, who was already a registered dietitian/nutritionist with a bachelor’s in nutrition and institutional management and a master’s in nutrition, obtained an associate degree, a bachelor’s and a master’s in nursing. She joined the faculty in MUSC’s College of Nursing after working as a nurse in a nursing home, Roper Hospital and Franklin C Fetter Health Center. Jenkins’ heart and her specialization are in community health, with an emphasis on health disparities related to diabetes and stroke. She continues to work with communities in Nigeria and Ghana in sub-Saharan Africa while also continuing research to address health disparities. “We nurses are essential members of the health care team who make a difference in the quality of care,” Jenkins said. “But we also must find ways to take care of ourselves and our family if we are to provide quality care to our patients and our communities.” For additional information about Carolyn Jenkins, visit scbestnurses.com. HealthLinks CHARLESTON has partnered with the MUSC College of Nursing to highlight some of the Lowcountry's top nurses. Expand your career! nursing.musc.edu

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