Author: Dan Guy
Gathered with four of the DHHS honorees are, left to right, Barbara Gibson, Director, Office of State Human Resources; Kristi Jones, Chief of Staff for Governor Roy Cooper; Clementine Pulliam, Developmental Services Unit Director at Murdoch; Mark Benton, DHHS Deputy Secretary for Health Services: Melanie Sanders, Human Resources Manager, Caswell Development Center; Arlena Jones, Health Care Technician, Caswell; John Miller, Housekeeping Administrator, Cherry Hospital; Steve Daniels, WTVD News Anchor and Emcee; and Charlotte Rouse, Physical Therapy Technician, Caswell.
May 2, 2018 — Seven employees of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are among 17 from across state government honored recently for their years of public service. They were presented with the Richard Caswell Award, named after North Carolina’s first governor. The award was established in 1998 and recognizes state employees with 45 years or more of service.
DHHS employees recognized at an April 24 event at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh were:
- Arlena Jones and Charlotte Rouse, Caswell Developmental Center
- Janice Martin, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- John Miller, Cherry Hospital
- Gerri Nash, Division of Public Health
- Carl Privette, Division of Services for the Blind
- Clementine Pulliam, Murdoch Developmental Center
“These seven employees represent the best of what we do at DHHS. Collectively, they’ve worked 315 years at improving the health and well-being of all North Carolinians,” said Mark Benton, DHHS Deputy Secretary for Health Services. “Each of them serve as examples of the importance of focusing on the people we serve and making a positive impact on their lives and communities. We are pleased to honor them and their life-long commitment to public service.”
The ceremony featured remarks from Barbara Gibson, director of the Office of State Human Resources, Kristi Jones, chief of staff to Governor Roy Cooper, and Steve Daniels, WTVD news anchor who emceed the ceremony. Awards to DHHS employees were presented by Deputy Secretary Benton.
"I have been blessed to serve our individuals in the area of rehabilitation," said Rouse. "It has been extremely rewarding to assist the clients I serve with attaining their goals through physical therapy."
Like Rouse, Miller also carries a patient-centered approach to his work.
“I truly believe that everybody is my customer,” said Miller. “I enjoy coming to work and I love people.”