SCAOHN President's Message
Dear Members,
As summer begins and the days grow longer, I hope you are finding time to recharge, enjoy your loved ones, and reflect on what matters most. May this season bring renewed energy, optimism, and opportunities to care for yourself—you deserve it. Thank you to everyone who attended our Spring Educational Conference. The turnout was phenomenal! It was wonderful to see so many nurses come together for education, networking, collaboration, and fun. Your participation is what keeps SCAOHN vibrant and thriving. A special thank you to our President-Elect, Ida Crosby, for planning such an outstanding event, and to our Board of Directors and Educational Planning Committee for their dedication and support. SCAOHN truly has a village, and I’m proud to be part of it. If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to have you join us! 😊 I’d also like to share that the Board of Directors has voted to continue free membership for at least another year. This initiative will be reviewed annually, and we’re hopeful we can continue offering this benefit for years to come. I hope you enjoyed a meaningful Occupational Health Nurses Week and National Nurses Week, and that your employers recognized the incredible work you do. Thank you to everyone who participated in our Nurses Week Survey Contest, and congratulations to our winners: Emily Brashears, Ida Crosby, and Kim Hoffman. It was inspiring to learn more about our members and what led them to nursing. On May 19, SCAOHN launched a survey to better understand employer support for occupational health nurses. The survey remains open through June 30. If you have not yet participated, please consider sharing your feedback. Your responses will help guide future advocacy efforts, and all information will remain confidential and will not be shared with employers. SCAOHN continues to grow and evolve. Your Board recently approved the creation of an annual Employer of the Year Award to recognize organizations that demonstrate exceptional support for occupational health nursing and employee well-being. More information will be coming soon, and we encourage you to consider nominating deserving employers. Looking ahead, registration will soon open for our Fall Conference on September 24–25 at Milliken in Spartanburg. We are already planning another outstanding educational event and look forward to seeing many of you there. As always, please let us know how SCAOHN can better support you. We encourage you to reach out to any member of the Board of Directors with your questions, concerns, or ideas. Your feedback helps shape our organization and ensures we continue meeting the needs of our members. Thank you for your continued dedication to occupational health nursing and your unwavering support of SCAOHN. Wishing you a safe, healthy, and enjoyable summer!
SCAOHN Fall Conference 2026
SCAOHN will hold our annual Fall Conference on September 24-25th, 2026 at Milliken in Spartanburg, SC. More information including opening of registration will be available soon.
Keep an eye on your email and/or our website!
Organization News
SCAOHN Wins Best Multi-Day Activity at AAOHN Conference
AAOHN awarded SCAOHN with the 2026 Chapter Education Award for Best Multi-Day Activity at the AAOHN National Conference held April 24th-26th, 2026 in Orlando, FL. The Best Multi-Day Activity award is given for 8.0+ CNE activities. The application is judged on educational goals, needs assessment, planning and implementation processes, CNE approval and member evaluation. The conference that was submitted for the award was SCAOHN's Fall 2025 Conference held October 2-3rd, 2025 at Trident Technical College in North Charleston, SC. Huge round of applause for our organization and a special thank you to our members for continuing to support our organization!
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SCAOHN Renews Free Membership
This Spring in conjunction with Occupational Health Nurses Week, SCAOHN announced continued free membership for Occupational Health Nurses in South Carolina. If you know someone who has recently joined, please join us in welcoming them! If you know an occupational health nurse that has not joined SCAOHN, invite them to join for free for a year! As a reminder, all current members receive a free year membership renewal as well!
Member News
We want to continue to highlight professional and personal news of our members! Whether you are obtaining a certification, completing a degree, or any other professional related news, please let us know so we can feature your accomplishment! Also, if you have any exciting personal news [engagements, weddings, baby (or grandbaby), volunteer work, etc.], please feel free to share that news with us. We hope that this Member News section helps us learn more about each other and brings us closer together.
Join us in congratulating and celebrating these members' accomplishments and news!
Professional Achievements
AAOHN Fellows: Angela Day and Susan Jordan
SCAOHN is proud to recognize Angela Day and Susan Jordan, who were awarded the prestigious AAOHN Fellow designation during the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) Conference held in Orlando, Florida, April 24–26, 2026. AAOHN Fellowship is one of the profession’s highest honors, recognizing occupational and environmental health nurses who have made meaningful contributions through practice, education, research, management, or policy. Candidates undergo a rigorous application and review process that includes professional sponsorship, a detailed narrative submission, and evaluation against established Fellowship criteria. Angela and Susan join an elite group of occupational health nursing professionals whose work has helped advance the specialty and strengthen the profession. Their achievement not only reflects their individual contributions but also highlights the expertise and commitment found within SCAOHN’s membership. From Betty Sanisidro, Executive Director of American Board for Occupational Health Nurses: “Congratulations to two exceptional South Carolina based ABOHN certified OHNs, Angela Day, BSN, RN, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN, and Susan D. Jordan, BSN, RN, COHN, FAAOHN on their induction as Occupational Health Nursing Fellows through AAOHN. This prestigious achievement reflects their outstanding leadership, clinical expertise, dedication to advancing nursing practice, and commitment to excellence in worker patient care. Their accomplishments inspire us all and bring great pride to our OHN community. Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved honor!” Please join us in congratulating Angela and Susan on this remarkable accomplishment and for representing South Carolina occupational health nursing with distinction.
CM Certification: Felicia Delk
SCAOHN Communications Director Felicia Delk obtained her Case Management (CM) Certification through ABOHN. Congratulations Felicia!
Member Life
SCAOHN's Connection to a NASA Trailblazer: Hope Bailey's "sister" Charlie Blackwell-Thompson
Many SCAOHN members know our Treasurer, Hope Bailey, for her dedication and leadership within our organization. What some may not know is that Hope’s first cousin/"sister", Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, has made history on a global stage as one of NASA’s most accomplished leaders.
A native of South Carolina and graduate of Clemson University, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson serves as Launch Director for NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program at Kennedy Space Center. In 2016, she became NASA’s first female launch director, breaking barriers in a field traditionally dominated by men. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing launch planning, countdown operations, and the complex coordination required to safely launch NASA’s most ambitious missions.
Charlie played a pivotal role in NASA’s Artemis program, which is leading humanity’s return to the Moon and paving the way for future missions to Mars. She directed the historic Artemis I launch in 2022 and most recently led the launch of Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years. As Launch Director, she had the responsibility of making the final launch decisions and guiding the team through one of the most significant milestones in modern space exploration.
Charlie’s accomplishments serve as an inspiration to women and girls everywhere, demonstrating the impact of leadership, perseverance, and excellence in STEM careers. SCAOHN is proud to celebrate this remarkable achievement and the connection we share through Hope Bailey. We congratulate Charlie on her historic contributions to space exploration and thank Hope for allowing us to recognize her "sister's" extraordinary accomplishments.
Retirement: Barbara Moehlman
Barbara Moehlman has been a dedicated nurse for more than four decades, beginning her nursing career after earning her RN in 1984 and BSN in 1986. Originally from Florida, Barbara gained early experience in NICU nursing and at Shriners Hospital before discovering her passion for Occupational Health Nursing in 1996 while working at a paper mill in North Florida. After moving to South Carolina in 2000, Barbara continued serving workers and communities through Occupational Health roles with organizations including Bon Secours, Spartanburg Regional, Sealed Air, GE, and Magna. In 2014, she earned her COHN-S certification, further demonstrating her commitment to excellence in occupational health nursing. Barbara lives in Mauldin, South Carolina, with her husband of 35 years. Together they have two grown children, one grandson, and another grandchild on the way. In retirement, Barbara looks forward to volunteering, traveling, gardening, painting, and spending time with her growing family.
Angela Day, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN, Claims Manager for Magna Health said "South Carolina is losing a truly wonderful Occupational Health Nurse with the retirement of Barbara Moehlman. She has dedicated many years to serving the Upstate, and the employees she has cared for have greatly benefited from her knowledge, skill, compassion, and unwavering support. Thank you, Barbara, for your years of dedicated service and the lasting impact you’ve made on so many lives. I have always admired Barbara’s calm, even-tempered nature and her ability to remain steady and unflappable, even in the midst of emergencies. On a personal note, I will truly miss our conversations and the privilege of working with her." SCAOHN congratulates Barbara on her retirement and thanks her for her many years of dedication, leadership, and service to the nursing profession!
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Do you volunteer with an organization, charity, church, etc.? Please reach out to us to share the news.
Also, please don't forget to share any career/job related or personal achievements or accomplishments as well!
Scholarship & Reimbursement Opportunities
SCAOHN Conference Scholarships
Don't forget scholarships are available for SCAOHN Conferences! Click the link below for more information.
ABOHN Certification Reimbursement
If you have newly obtained your COHN, COHN-S or CM certification, click the link below for more information on ABOHN Certification Reimbursement! You may be eligible for $250 for COHN/COHN-S or $50 for CM.
Self-Care Summer
Self-care is often one of the first things healthcare professionals put on the back burner, but it’s one of the most important tools we have for protecting our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. A recent article from Verywell Mind reminds us that self-care is not selfish — it is essential for reducing stress, preventing burnout, and helping us continue caring for others effectively. The article highlights several key areas of self-care including physical wellness, emotional wellness, social connection, mental stimulation, and personal joy. Simple habits such as getting enough sleep, staying active, maintaining supportive relationships, setting boundaries, journaling, practicing mindfulness, or even making time for hobbies can have a significant impact on stress levels and overall health. As occupational health nurses, we spend so much of our time supporting the health and wellbeing of others. SCAOHN encourages all members to also make time to care for themselves. Even small moments of intentional self-care can improve resilience, reduce compassion fatigue, and help us continue showing up as the best version of ourselves both professionally and personally.
Occupational Health News
Monthly Health
Awareness Topics
June
July
August
Showcasing Your KNOWLEDGE: Certification & GRANTs
SCAOHN wants to encourage our members to become certified and/or apply for grants. We recently reached out to Dr. Betty Sanisidro, Executive Director for ABOHN. Here's what she had to say about certification and grants:
"Specialty certification is more than a credential, it is a powerful reflection of your expertise, dedication, and commitment to excellence in worker patient care as occupational health nurses (OHNs)! The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (ABOHN) is proud to share that the current COHN and COHN-S examination pass rates currently remain in the 70th percentile and CM examination pass rates remain in the 80th percentile, demonstrating the exceptional knowledge and professionalism of our OHN subject matter expert committees! If you have been considering certification, now is the time to invest in your professional journey. Certification can enhance confidence, expand career opportunities, strengthen clinical knowledge, and positively impact worker patient outcomes. To support your success, scholarship opportunities are available to assist with certification preparation and exam costs through the AAOHN Foundation! Application cutoff dates have been eliminated, and applications can now be submitted year-round for consideration and funding! Please visit the Foundation’s website to learn more and apply: AAOHN > AAOHN Foundation > Grants & Scholarships
In addition, nurses interested in advancing evidence-based practice and innovation in occupational and environmental health nursing are encouraged to explore the research grant opportunity through the collaborative ABOHN and Sigma Nursing Research Grant. The application window will open on July 1, 2026! This resource is designed to support professional growth, clinical inquiry, and the advancement of occupational health nursing practice. Please visit the ABOHN website and social pages for more information!
For those OHNs already certified, thank you for leading by example! We encourage you to continue supporting and mentoring your fellow OHNs as they pursue certification and professional development. Together, we can continue building a culture of excellence, empowerment, and lifelong learning!" If certification is something you’ve been thinking about, let this be your encouragement to go for it! SCAOHN is also proud to offer certification reimbursement opportunities to help further support our members becoming certified. Sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement and support. We want to encourage our members to reach out to other certified OHNs if you are interested and have questions. Your SCAOHN family is cheering you on every step of the way!
Certification Resources
For more information on obtaining COHN, COHN-S and CM certification, visit the ABOHN website by clicking the button below:
ABOHN offers a Certification Self-Assessment Tests (CSATs) that conform to the current exam blueprints and core contents:
AAOHN offers resources to help prepare for certification. For more information, visit the Online Education center by clicking the button below:
DataChem Software offers a COHN and COHN-S program to help prepare for ABOHN exams:
*ABOHN nor SCAOHN can recommend any specific course(s) or other resources that may prepare you for the examination. Additionally, the purchase of any products is NOT REQUIRED to apply or take ABOHN examinations.
Continuing Education
Looking for continuing education units (CEUs) or continuing nursing education (CNEs)? Check out the resources below!
**NEW** In case you missed it, ABOHN is now offering an online continuing education series. Beginning January 2026, ABOHN launched a brand-new monthly continuing education series designed specifically for ABOHN certified Occupational Health Nurses seeking high-quality, occupational-health–focused CEs eligible toward ABOHN recertification and nurse licensure requirements. For a nominal fee, participants will receive access to one live virtual CE class per month. Can’t attend? No worries, a 30-day recording will be provided for those who cannot attend live. Each session is developed to strengthen core OHN competencies, elevate professional practice, and support excellence in workplace health and safety.
To purchase, download the enrollment & payment form (which can be found on SCAOHN Website -> Practice Resources -> Continuing Education) and send to info@abohn.org.
Board of Directors
President: Beverly Moody (beverly.moody@srs.gov)
President-Elect: Ida Crosby (crosbyim@yahoo.com)
Secretary: Rebecca Howard (rebecca.howard@magna.com)
Treasurer: Hope Bailey (hope.bailey@milliken.com)
Vendor Coordinator Director: Karen Owens (karen.owens@milliken.com)
Membership Director: Melinda Green (melinda.green@milliken.com)
Communications Director: Felicia Delk (felicia.delk@srs.gov)
Nominations Chair: Angela Day (angela.day@magna.com)
Benefits of Membership: Quarterly Newsletters, Local Conferences (discounts for members), Benchmark Information (as requested and shared with members), Access to Members Only content on our website, and amazing networking opportunities with other OHNs.
We would like to thank our partners and friends for their sponsorship of SCAOHN!
Partners
Friends
Credits:
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