BEE Award Winner: Jessica Karr

Congratulations to Jessica Karr, social worker from the Childbirth Center for being presented with the BEE Award. Jess was nominated by a patient for her compassionate care. Read her nomination below:

Jessica’s Nomination

“I was on a bus from Kingston to Nashville, on my way to rehab when I unexpectedly went into labor. The bus had to stop, and I was taken to Parkwest, where I gave birth. At the time, I was still struggling with substance use, and because of this, my baby was admitted to the NICU at ETCH to receive care for withdrawal symptoms. I was overwhelmed, lost, and unsure of what my next steps should be.

That was when I met Jess, my caseworker—someone who would change the course of my life. Jess went above and beyond to ensure that I had a plan and the support I needed to move forward. She found a residential treatment program in Nashville where I could begin my recovery journey, helped me complete the admissions process, and secured a bed for me. She even arranged transportation so that I could get there without delay.

But Jess’s dedication didn’t stop there. After I was discharged from the hospital, she continued to advocate for me and coordinate with my new case manager at The Next Door, ensuring a seamless transition into treatment. Through every step, she treated me with kindness, compassion, and respect—never with judgment or shame. She made me feel like I had someone in my corner at one of the lowest points in my life.

Now, I am proud to say that I will graduate from residential treatment on March 31, and I have been accepted into a long-term mother-and-child program. I have hope for my future, and I know that none of this would have been possible without Jess’s unwavering support. She is not only an incredible caseworker but also a truly exceptional human being.

Jess deserves this award because she embodies everything a social worker should be—dedicated, compassionate, and relentless in her commitment to helping others. I am just one of many lives she has changed, and I can say with certainty that I would not be where I am today without her guidance.”

More About The BEE Award

Parkwest implemented The BEE (Being Exceptional Every day) Award to recognize employees who aren’t RNs and LPNs (they can be nominated for The DAISY Award). A DAISY can’t survive without a BEE and a BEE can’t survive without a DAISY! Nominate someone for a BEE Award today!