CareSouth Carolina’s Jeri Andrews completes Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Fellowship

CareSouth Carolina’s Jeri Andrews, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, recently graduated as a 2021-22 Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Fellow as the lone representative from a federally-qualified health center (FQHC) in the state.

Andrews, who serves as CareSouth Carolina’s Associate Medical Director, said the program provided her with invaluable knowledge and resources that have allowed her to grow as a leader in the organization.

“Every session was an opportunity to learn from nationally-recognized nursing leaders,” Andrews said. “We learned a lot about ourselves during this time. We had the chance to do self-evaluations and to be evaluated by our peers. I learned a lot about ‘change theories,’ and I plan to utilize that content in the forever evolving world of change in both healthcare and at CareSouth Carolina.”

Andrews said the program helped her refine her leadership skills, which she said has been a valuable asset in her transition to the role of Associate Medical Director. She was the first Nurse Practitioner in CareSouth Carolina’s history to be named Associate Medical Director and stepped into the role in 2021.

“This has helped me learn to more effectively manage and lead in a positive way,” Andrews said. “I had the ability to form relationships and network with other nursing leaders, which was extremely helpful as I stepped into the new role. I highly recommend the Fellowship and hope we will have more participants and representation of leaders from FQHCs to complete the program in the future.”

The Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Fellowship is a creative endeavor that prepares accomplished nurses for innovative healthcare leadership in the 21st century. The Fellowship Program is a year-long endeavor that includes regular sessions in Columbia and a leadership project that is completed in the community.

Since 1994, the Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Fellowship has provided opportunities for passionate healthcare professionals to expand their leadership capacity. The Fellowship prepares nurse leaders to meet the urgent demands of today's healthcare environment. This progressive leadership Fellowship will equip you to lead and navigate complex organizations, academic institutions, and additional community settings.

Andrews was awarded the Award for Nursing Leadership 2022 by the University of South Carolina’s Center for Nursing Leadership at the Annual Leadership Summit this past March and was named the recipient of the ‘Emerging Leader of the Year Award’ by the South Carolina Primary Healthcare Association (SCPHCA) for 2021.