It is a smile that never fades.
The energy and enthusiasm shown daily by our Employee of the Week is unparalleled. When you consider she spent the majority of her nursing career in a hospital setting dealing with cardiac care and outpatient surgery, being a school nurse coordinator must seem like a walk in the park by comparison.
Thirty six years ago, Karen Yeatts began her nursing career and routinely drove 100 miles round trip to work in a hospital setting. In addition to the patients mentioned above, Karen Yeatts also spent her time in pre-op teaching, occupational medicine, family practice and school nursing.
After several decades, the pace was more than the mother of four needed. She decided to look for employment closer to home and in 2014, found it at Gretna High School. It was such a wonderful experience that she envisioned staying there until retiring.
However, fate had another plan for her instead. In 2019, Mrs. Yeatts accepted the position of School Nurse Coordinator, not realizing the COVID-19 would soon be waiting for her in the wings. She currently works very closely with the local health department during our battle with this novel pandemic. She is proud when the officials there speak so highly of PCS' nursing staff, even nicknaming them "their mini health department."
Mrs. Yeatts credits the PCS nursing staff with slowing down the spread of the disease. "When you are on the outside, you have no idea how fast the nursing staff mitigates by quarantining and isolating students and staff immediately which prevents the spread quicker than the health department can. That alone has decreased the spread in Pittsylvania County tremendously," remarks Mrs. Yeatts. "I’m looking forward to a year when COVID-19 isn’t our main focus," she adds.
Karen is married to Taft Yeatts, Safety Director for Davenport Energy. They have four children and four grandchildren, with whom she enjoys visiting. When she does take life at a slower pace it's enjoying gardening or a good book.
Regrettably, COVID has twice clipped her wings, causing her to cancel a special trip to Texas on two occasions. Soon, we hope, that not only will this virus be under control, but that Mrs. Yeatts can finally hit the roads again. This time, however, not to report to work but to spend time with close friends and family.
Service with a smile. Just like you see in this picture, Karen Yeatts faces whatever is before her with a dedication and always with a smile. Her quick wit and positive attitude will make you a firm believer that laugher is truly the best medicine.
Thank you for all you do to keep us well at Pittsylvania County Schools, Karen Yeatts. You bring joy and healing wherever you go.