Southern Health Association

Hankins Recipient of 2010 SHA Ficquett-Holley Award

John Hankins, Nursing Director, Alabama Department of Public Health, was presented the Southern Health Association's Ficquett-Holley Award at the 2010 annual meeting held in Franklin, Tennessee in September. The Ficquett-Holley Award honors the memory of two nurses and past presidents of SHA, and is presented to a nurse who has made outstanding contributions in the field of public health.

John has been Director of Nursing for the Alabama Department of Public Health since 2005 and in a relatively short period of time has made a significant impact on public health in Alabama in numerous ways including coordinating medical needs shelters during several hurricanes and one massive tornado, training of school nurses administering the H1N1 vaccinations, standardizing the training of ADPH nurses, and mentoring nurses throughout the state.

Public health nursing has continued to grow and improve under John's tenure. He has traveled throughout the state visiting the local health departments to experience health care through the patients' eyes, standardized the training of ADPH nurses, and has provided the opportunity for many nurses to return to school to further their education.

At the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Alabama Public Health Association, John was presented the first Anne Smith Excellence in Public Health Nursing Award which speaks volumes considering the many excellent nurses in Alabama. In a letter of nomination for that award, John is described by his peers as a mentor who encourages nurses to excel and further their education, someone who is accessible to all who need him no matter what time of day, and a compassionate nurse who has the utmost concern for his patients. He is further described as a true man of integrity, character, diligence, and vision.

SHA is proud to recognize John Hankins for his excellence in public health nursing.