LAURINBURG – Scotland Regional Hospice is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Hammonds, RN, as its executive director. Hammonds has served as the organization’s interim director since September and has quickly proven to be a great fit for the role.
Hammonds has been a nurse within Scotland Health Care System for more than 22 years, half of that time as a hospice case manager. Her various positions and experiences during that time have instilled in her an unwavering dedication to providing safe, quality, and compassionate care to those in our community.
“Kim is a well-respected dedicated nurse with a heart for hospice,” says Dr. Cheryl Davis, Scotland Health Care System’s chief medical officer and senior vice president of medical affairs. “She has past experience in Hospice, General Surgery and Quality before returning back to Hospice to lead the organization. She brings a quiet consistency and strong resolve for quality care that is a perfect example of our mission, Closer Care. Better by Far.”
After graduating from Sandhills Community College with an associate’s degree in nursing in 1997, Hammonds joined the health care system as a staff nurse at Scotland Memorial Hospital. Shortly after receiving her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2003 from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, she accepted the position of hospice case manager with Scotland Regional Hospice.
As a case manager, Hammonds communicated with the hospice interdisciplinary team which includes physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and CNAs to ensure that all patient care plans were implemented appropriately.
She worked her way up to director of Patient Care Services and joined the leadership and interdisciplinary teams in developing the individualized care plans for each patient and family served by the organization. She managed all staff who worked in the homecare setting and her responsibilities grew to include staff evaluations, billing, and other administrative duties.
In 2015, Hammonds left hospice to work as a staff nurse at Scotland Surgical and GI with Dr. Stephen Lanuti. Lanuti, the former medical director for Scotland Regional Hospice, has worked with Hammonds throughout most of her nursing career.
“I have known Kim for over 22 years,” Lanuti shared. “I worked with her when she started out on (Surgical/Pediatrics) and then again when she went to hospice for eleven years. She worked with me again in surgical for two years. She has a passion for hospice and will no doubt be successful in her role.”
After her two-year stint at Scotland Surgical and GI, she transferred to the health care system’s quality department as a data analyst before returning to Scotland Regional Hospice in September of this year.
“Kim has served our system and our community for many years,” said Greg Wood, president and CEO of Scotland Health Care System. “We are delighted that she is sharing her tremendous talents and strong values with such a critical community service.”
As the executive director, Hammonds will be responsible for the overall administration and management of Scotland Regional Hospice. She will work closely with Scotland Regional Hospice’s advisory board, leadership team, interdisciplinary team, and its Medical Director, Dr. Valeriana Esteves-Jute, to ensure that that the organization is meeting its mission of providing exceptional end-of-life care to those in our community.
“Kim is an asset to hospice,” Esteves-Jute emphasized.” “She has a heart devoted to those in need. Her previous hospice experience enhances her compassion and devotion to our mission. I believe our organization will flourish under her guidance. We are truly blessed to have her.”
Hammonds’ commitment to the organization’s success and sustainability stems from her connection to the community.
“Growing up in Robeson County and working for (Scotland Health Care System) for the past 22 years, I have a close connection to many of the people within the communities that we serve,” explained Hammonds. “I am honored and grateful to have the opportunity to continue that service to our communities as the Executive Director of Scotland Regional Hospice. I am committed to providing safe, high quality care for our patients and their families.”
