ATC Spotlight
Athens Technical College Names Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Eminent Scholar
Date: Dec 01,2020
Athens Technical College (ATC) named Mrs. Ruth Durham and Mrs. Elizabeth Heath as their 2020 as Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center Eminent Scholars in Health Care. Each year this award is given to a nursing faculty member who has demonstrated high standards in nursing education at ATC. The College and Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center have a long-standing partnership with their Registered Nursing program, as well as, other health programs such.
Mrs. Ruth Durham joined ATC and the ASN faculty as a full-time nursing instructor in 2016. She brought with her a wealth of knowledge both academically and clinically speaking, from her Belmont University BSN program and her 2016 Auburn University MSN program.
Ruth’s expertise specializes in Emergency Department nursing. Starting in 2009, she worked as a staff RN for ED’s throughout the south, with Baptist Medical Center as the most recent. In 2015, Ruth worked as a clinical instructor for Auburn University. It was there that she found “her calling” to nursing education and the profession. Enjoying the ability to watch and help her students grow and learn.
From 2016, Ruth has grown to be a team leader and serves in many capacities within the College and Nursing Program. Her versatility has allowed her to teach at any level of the nursing curriculum. She has moved from junior nursing level courses to currently coordinating the senior’s intensive final practicum experience. Utilizing her strong organizational and technical skills, Ruth has taken on the very large committee work of coordinating the student’s ATI tutorial and remediation program.
Elizabeth Heath began her nursing career with an ASN degree from ATC. She went on to build from this foundation as she continued her education through Walden University, obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing Degree, majoring in Nursing Education, graduating in 2014.
Her work experience is diverse, often in community nursing. From 2002 – 2013 she served as the nurse manager for Madison County Health Department, and currently serves on the Oglethorpe County Board of Health as Vice Chairperson. Starting in 2013, Elizabeth joined Piedmont Athens Regional to work as a staff RN and then ultimately the Care Manager for the Emergency Department.
In 2015, Elizabeth accepted the opportunity to become the Director of Clinical Services at Medlink Health Center, until she returned to ATC as a full-time nursing instructor in 2018. Due to her diverse background, Elizabeth has the ability to teach in a variety of nursing courses, from fundamentals of nursing to mental-health nursing. Elizabeth strives to deliver innovative educational strategies to keep her students engaged. Regardless of her subject matter, Elizabeth consistently demonstrates high standards for academic and professional behavior.
Dr. Andrea Daniel, President of Athens Technical College remarked, “Both Mrs. Durham and Mrs. Heath embody the characteristics of a professional nurse. They serve as true role models and inspiration for all of our nursing students.”
Click here for more information.