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Vidant Beaufort Hospital has announced Judy Van Dorp as the recipient of the fourth annual Susan Gerard Excellence in Leadership award. This award was established to honor and remember Susan Gerard for the many contributions she made to our local health care system and to annually recognize a manager that exemplifies the many noble and professional character traits that Gerard exhibited. Van Dorp was presented the award by Pam Shadle, director of marketing and community outreach and Mike Andrews, director of clinical and support services during a ceremony on Tuesday, May 11.

Van Dorp joined Beaufort County Hospital in 1994 as a nursing supervisor and held leadership roles in education and corporate wellness before joining Lifestyles Medical Fitness Center, now Vidant Wellness Center in 2001. Much of Judy’s nursing career has been focused on the health and wellbeing of the community, as she has been at the helm of Vidant Wellness Center for the past 20 years.  She and her team of exercise and wellness professionals are dedicated to helping improve the quality of life of their members and our community.

When the COVID 19 pandemic began and the Vidant Wellness Center suspended its operations, Judy quickly found where her talents could best be used and offered to lead in other areas of our hospital to help keep the team members and community safe.  She has managed the COVID screening process since March of 2020 and in December 2020 oversaw the initiative to vaccinate team members from Vidant Beaufort Hospital and local physician practices.

Vidant Wellness Center will reopen June 1.