Kacey Schmitt, DHEC Director of Social Work, along with Lenora Talley, DHEC Upstate Social Work Manager, and Tamika Melette, Lowcountry Social Work Manager, presented the Ruth G. McCall Public Health Social Worker of the Year Award to Hannah Eaton, Lowcountry Maternal Child Health (MCH) Social Worker at the Social Work Day celebration in March.  

“I felt so honored and thankful for the support of my Lowcountry MCH team in nominating me for this award,” Hannah said. “I would not be set up for success as a social worker without a team of RNs, an RD and admin that provide excellent care and attention to client needs for social work intervention. I also felt grateful for the ongoing encouragement and supervision from our Lowcountry Social Work Manager, Tamika Melette- her guidance helps me to be a better social worker!”  

The Ruth G. McCall Public Health Social Worker of the Year award is given out to one deserving DHEC social worker annually. Nominated by their peers, the winner is selected by group of social workers, external to the agency.  

“Working with marginalized populations is truly a calling,” Tamika said.“Hannah embodies all the characteristics needed to do so – empathy, compassion, a team player, flexibility, adaptability and willingness to travel to places not identified on the GPS yet. Hannah is a role model and a champion for the communities she serves, a change agent, an advocate and frequently demonstrates her commitment to embracing service and advancing equity.” 

One of the highlights of this year’s award presentation was the look of shock on Hannah’s face when she realized that she had won the award and that two of her team members had traveled all the way from the Lowcountry to surprise and congratulate her! 

“We work very hard to keep the winner of this prestigious award a secret until the award is presented, while at the same time, letting their team and family in on surprise, so that they can celebrate alongside the recipient,” Kacey said. 

Hannah joined the Lowcountry Maternal Child Health team in January 2020. According to her team, Hannah proactively seeks out opportunities for relevant training to learn to walk alongside families.  

She serves on the SC Statewide Sickle Cell Disease and Advocacy Board and the Congenital Syphilis Review Board. She serves as the primary contact for Prisma Health Pediatric Oncology/Hematology Sickle Cell Clinic and the Medical University of South Carolina Cranial Clinic. She is responsible for the Newborn Screening program, Electronic Health Record referral approver for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and assists with Lowcountry referrals and other regions if needed. Serving children and families by making the necessary connections, be it ModivCare, BabyNet, Family Connections or Orangeburg Sickle Cell Foundation, is done with compassion, awareness and empathy.  

“Hannah is a team player who supports and lives out the core values of DHEC,” said Sonya Ehrhardt, Hannah’s supervisor and Lowcountry MCH Program Coordinator. “She not only performs her social work duties with excellence; but also performs many additional duties which demonstrates that she is a positive role model for her MCH Team as well as a role model with her peers and in her community. I have often told Hannah that she is a breath of fresh air in a multifaceted health care world as she exhibits the qualities of understanding, supportiveness, resourcefulness and being committed. I am so proud of her and honored to support her.”  

Hannah truly embodies what it means to be a social worker through her empathy, compassion, flexibility, adaptability and her passion to help others. Congratulations, Hannah!