Pediatric Nursing Journal presented its 2008 Humanitarian Award to Kathleen A. McCarty, RN, EdD, who operates the pediatrics ward at a rural hospital in Zimbabwe and serves as the region’s only health care provider. McCarty received her award at an awards presentation on Saturday, June 28, 2008, during the 24th Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference in Las Vegas, NV.

McCarty is the clinical officer at Chidamoyo Christian Hospital, Kari, Zimbabwe, a position she has held for 21 years. She offers residents in the region their only access to general medicine, pediatrics and minor surgical care through many inpatient and outpatient clinics. In addition to managing a very busy pediatric department (with plans to expand), McCarty also runs the outpatient clinic, oversees 16 immunization and pre-natal clinics in outlying villages and offers free HIV counseling and testing to patients.

While caring for patients is McCarty’s primary goal, she also mentors and shares her expertise with doctors, nurses, medical students and other individuals and volunteers. A well-known and highly respected leader in Zimbabwe, McCarty offers her compassion, dedication and spirit to her patients. Her desire to transform nursing practice in the region is inspiring to her patients and to other nurses.  

“In a country where political turmoil and violence are commonplace, children suffer. And when half the population are children who have limited access to care, Kathy is a true model of courage and inspiration to the people and nurses in Zimbabwe,” says Pediatric Nursing Editor Veronica Feeg, PhD, RN, FAAN.

Jannetti Publications, Inc., which is located in Pitman, NJ, publishes Pediatric Nursing journal. Past Humanitarian Award winners include Paul Newman, Rosalynn Carter, Marian Wright Edelman and Mattie Stepanek.

For additional information about the Pediatric Nursing 25th Annual Conference (June 25-27, 2009, Orlando, FL) or to request a registration brochure, call (856) 256-2300 or write to: Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., East Holly Avenue, Box 56, Pitman, NJ 08071-0056. For more information about Pediatric Nursing, visit www.pediatricnursing.net.

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Pediatric Nursing (www.pediatricnursing.net) is a clinically-based journal focusing on the needs of professionals in pediatric practice, research, administration and education.