By Suzy Alstrin
The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) honored the legacy of Reinhardt University’s campus nurse, Gwen Chambers. Chambers became the first recipient of the new Carol Rice Nurse Advocate Award at the 2024 Georgia PTA District 13 Spring Conference and Awards Ceremony.
The award reads, “For being instrumental in the development of the CCSD School Health and Wellness Program from its inception, for being a trailblazer in your field, and a mentor to so many who followed in your footsteps.”
Former Georgia PTA President and nurse Carol Rice presented the award. Rice advocated in the late 1980’s for nurses in Georgia schools coinciding with the beginning of Chambers’ journey as a nurse with CCSD. The ceremony recognized both ladies as pioneers. Nurse Chambers responded to the honor saying, “I continued my course and fulfilled my God-led calling of creating a School Nurse Program for CCSD. Paving the way for students to have access to healthcare at school was the center of my career path. I am grateful and honored to have received this award.”
Following over three decades with the CCSD, Chambers now practices at the Student Health Center and said, “This is the perfect last chapter of my career as Reinhardt holds a special place in my heart. Serving Reinhardt students the last two years has been a joy.”
