Blue Ridge Community Health Services Nurse Named “2009 Outstanding Provider”

(Hendersonville, NC) The North Carolina Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA) has named Loretta Williams, RN of Blue Ridge Community Health Services (BRCHS) its “2009 Outstanding Provider”. This award recognizes an outstanding health center provider each year. Candidates for the award, including physicians, mid-level practitioners, nurses, and dentists should demonstrate, over a period of time, a level of excellence and performance that sets them apart in a distinctive manner.

Williams has been an integral part of BRCHS for 37 years. She joined Blue Ridge when it was starting as the nation’s second Migrant Health Center, and has helped build Blue Ridge ever since. Williams’ contribution to primary health care in Henderson County ranges from caring for farmworkers and their families to the children of the community through the BRCHS school health program. Williams currently serves as an RN at the Apple Valley Middle School Health Center.

During her tenure at BRCHS, Williams has served as a Registered Nurse, Director of Nursing, Assistant to the Medical Director, Migrant Outreach Coordinator, and School Health Nurse.

Over her nearly 40 years in primary health care, she has developed, supervised, or directed many health programs, including HIV prevention and awareness, Parenting Classes, Tuberculosis Awareness and Tracking, numerous health education events and screenings, and outreach to migrant farmworkers.

Blue Ridge Community Health Services has been serving Hendersonville and the surrounding communities for more than 45 years, providing high quality, affordable medical and dental care, increasing access to health care for all, with special emphasis on the underserved and the uninsured. BRCHS health centers include the William F. Stokes Jr. Dental Center, the Kate B. Reynolds Children’s Center, Blue Ridge Family Practice, and school-based health centers at Apple Valley Middle School, North Henderson High School, and Bruce Drysdale Elementary School. BRCHS is accredited by the Joint Commission.