Rachel Tolliver, R.N. Coordinator for Residential and Supported Living at Orange Grove Center, recently received the Nurse of the Year Award from the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry. The award was presented at the recent Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) conference.
Tolliver oversees the health care needs for 180 individuals residing in residential and supported living homes. She was nominated by her current boss, Ruth Toon, Director of Residential/Waiver Homes at Orange Grove Center. She received the award at the annual conference this month, which was held in Ledyard, CT.
"To be recognized by your peers, and appreciated in this field is just icing on the cake, because you get that every day with the clients," Tolliver said.
The DDNA is a nursing specialty organization that is committed to advocacy, education and care for nurses who provide services to persons with developmental disabilities. Each year, one outstanding nurse within the association is chosen for the award.