CareSouth Carolina names Tracie Thigpen 2021 Employee of the Year

CareSouth Carolina was happy to announce Tracie Thigpen as the 2021 Employee of the Year.

Thigpen, who serves as CareSouth Carolina’s Chief Nursing Officer, has been with the organization for almost five years.

“It takes an entire team to accomplish what we’ve been able to accomplish,” Thigpen said. “We all support each other and we’re working for the same goal: To take care of our patients and our staff.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thigpen has gone above and beyond the call of duty. She has been the go-to contact for CareSouth Carolina employees and patients when they test positive for COVID-19 by providing guidance, care, contact-tracing and maintaining data, all in addition to her regular duties as the Chief Nursing Officer.

“Committed. That is one of the words I use to describe Tracie Thigpen,” CareSouth Carolina Chief Personnel Officer Denise Ellis said. “She is committed to CareSouth Carolina – patients, staff, mission, vision, values.  That commitment is on display every minute of every day and it shows in all that she does.  CareSouth Carolina is fortunate to have Tracie Thigpen as Chief Nursing Officer and I’m thankful every day to have her on my team.”

As we move forward, Thigpen said she is hopefully we can put COVID-19 behind us and focus more on taking care of patients with chronic conditions who need to get back into care.

“I hope we can put COVID-19 behind us soon and get back on track, focusing on our patients with chronic conditions and making a bigger impact with those folks who need cancer screenings, or who have hypertension, diabetes or many other conditions,” Thigpen said.

Thigpen was named the South Carolina Nurse of the Year at the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association’s 26^th annual Clinical Network Retreat in 2020.

Thigpen said she felt the Lord’s calling from an early age to be a nurse and to get involved in healthcare management.

“Growing up, my mother had some health problems and I helped my dad in taking care of her. I knew then I wanted to be a nurse and I knew that I wanted to be in management,” Thigpen said. “The Lord made ways and opened up doors and I’m very blessed to be working here and in this capacity.”

Thigpen said a lot of prayers goes into her decision-making and she always looks to put patient care first.

“That’s the foundation of who I am,” Thigpen said. “I spend a lot of time seeking the Lord’s guidance in prayer. I like working at CareSouth Carolina because of the values. We put the patient first and it’s all about what’s best for the patients. We are committed to the community and that allows me to make a difference.”

CareSouth Carolina is a private, non-profit community health center delivering patient-centered health and life services in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. CareSouth Carolina operates centers in Bennettsville, Bishopville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake View, Latta, McColl and Society Hill.

Services provided by CareSouth Carolina include family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, women services, OB/GYN, HIV/AIDS primary care, dental, chiropractic services, pharmacy, geriatrics, social services, clinical counseling, laboratory, 4D ultrasound, X-Ray, migrant services and veterans choice provider.