The March of Dimes has announced that Pam Miller, RN, Chatsworth, N.J., is a finalist for the 2018 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award in the Non-hospital and Home Health Care category. Miller, the director of nursing at the Mount Laurel, N.J., branch of Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (PHHC), with headquarters in Eatontown, transitions medically fragile children from hospitals to homes and trains other nurses to provide all phases of support to ensure quality home health care for those children.
The 13th annual state-wide Nurse of the Year event recognizes extraordinary nurses, including all nominees, finalists, and recipients. More than 250 nurses were nominated for the 2018 Nurse of the Year Award, which recognizes and honors those who make a significant difference in the lives of many people. Sixty-nine nurses became finalists in 12 categories. One award recipient from each category will be announced at the Nurse of the Year Gala on November 14.
Although it was her dream to become a nurse, Miller deferred her dream to support her military spouse and raise her children. In 2006, however, Miller fulfilled her goal and joined PHHC, Mount Laurel, as a director of nursing. She is now responsible for overseeing 180 skilled/unskilled clients.
Miller is known as a natural caregiver and innate humanitarian. In 2009, she volunteered in Haiti as a member of a medical team where she performed assessments on adults and children in orphanages and remote villages. In 2012, Miller founded “Penny Miller’s Sewing Academy” to help young Haitian women learn skills as seamstresses. That academy still operates today.
Miller’s other charitable endeavors include working with the Appalachian Service Project to make homes sturdier and safer; Coastal Volunteers In Medicine, which provides free medical assistance; the Philabundance Food Bank; Seaman’s Church Institute, a faith-based ministry that offers warm accessories to those working on commerce ships; and support for disaster clean-up crews in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Jersey.
Miller said, “Being recognized as a Finalist by the March of Dimes is the epitome of home care nursing; the reward is priceless.”
The award ceremony includes a cocktail hour, dinner, and reception on November 14, 2018, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the Grand Marquis, 1550 U.S. 9, Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. For more information, contact Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations, at 732-547-9886 or lisa@preferredcares.com.
