ORANGEBURG, SC—Tom Dandridge, president and CEO of the Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties recently announced that Julia K. Yawn has been named interim vice president for patient care services.

“Julia has proven herself as an integral part of the RMC team for more than five years, and the administration and staff join me in congratulating her in this new role,” said Lisa Goodlett, RMC chief operating officer. “The Regional Medical Center and this community are extremely fortunate to have someone with Julia’s qualifications, experiences and capabilities.”

Yawn will be responsible for administrative and clinical operations related to the inpatient nursing units, nursing supervision, the wound center, emergency services, surgical services, respiratory therapy, environmental services and food and nutrition services.

A senior nurse executive with more than 30 years of experience in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, Yawn joined RMC as director of patient safety in 2003. Her position was expanded the following year to include risk management. In that position Yawn investigated, analyzed and tracked medical events for process improvement opportunities, and reported routinely to the Medical Staff Quality Committee and Board of Trustees.

Yawn has been a contributing member of the RMC Joint Commission Steering Committee, the Patient Safety Committee, the Environment of Care Committee and the Service Recovery Team. She is a member of the hospital incident command response team which would be implemented at RMC in the case of a community, state-wide or national emergency.

Yawn has been a presenter at numerous national conferences and meetings, most recently presenting “Patient Safety, It’s More than Medication Errors and Falls” at the National American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing Conference.

Originally from San Antonio, TX, Yawn has more than 22 years of nursing and leadership experience in the US Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. At her last Air Force assignment, Yawn was director of nursing, commander of medical operations squadron, and deputy group commander of the 6^th Medical Group at MacDill Air Force Base in FL. She commanded a group of 400 medical professionals including physicians, nurses, medical technicians in the care of 6,000 active duty personnel and 92,000 health care beneficiaries in a 75-bed acute care hospital with 14 outpatient clinics and a level II emergency department.

Yawn holds a Master of Science degree in nursing and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Texas. She is certified as a Registered Nurse Legal Consultant (RNLC) and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM).

Yawn completed military training at the Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officer School, Academic Instructor School, and Flight Nurse School. She also received advanced training in National Security Management and Nursing Service Management.

Yawn is the recipient of the Legion of Merit award, six Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, and she was honored as Major below-the-zone.

Her professional affiliations include: American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, secretary of the SC chapter in 2006; Sigma Theta Tau, the national honor society for nursing, American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing; American Organization of Nurse Executives; Society of Air Force Nurses; and Air Force Association.

Yawn’s community volunteer activities in the past have included: adult reading tutor Santee Literary Council; member, Board of Directors, Santee Literacy Council; volunteer coordinator Holly Hill Academy Library; school nurse, Holly Hill Academy; instructor, “Seven Habits for Highly Effective Teenagers,” Holly Hill Academy; Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle sponsor/coach; Math Team coach; Academic Quiz Bowl Team coach; and adjutant, American Legion Post 116.

Yawn and her husband, Jimmie, live in St. George. They have three grown sons.