Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) is proud to announce that Karen Turner, a devoted educator, volunteer and ovarian cancer survivor, has been chosen as a National Winner of the 2014 Spirit of Women Community Hero award in recognition of her outstanding achievements in community service. Karen was presented the award during the Spirit of Women’s 17th Annual National Awards celebration, held in Miami, Florida in July.
Karen Turner was selected from a national pool of applicants nominated by hospitals and health systems across the United States that comprise the Spirit of Women network. The Spirit of Women National Awards honor ordinary people who do extraordinary things, and the winners represent unsung heroes of American society. The Community Hero Award is given to someone age 21 or older who has shown an extraordinary commitment to service in their community and beyond.
As a lifelong educator, Turner is passionate about sharing her experience in the battle against Ovarian Cancer. In an article in the Greenburg Daily News, she discussed her journey and her hopes of reaching out to others. Turner then began to work alongside Ovar’ Coming Together, an organization founded in 1995 to create awareness, support survivors/caregivers/families and fund research for ovarian cancer. In a coordinated effort with a local church, the Spirit of Women at Decatur County Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Mahnee Dinsmore, former OB/GYN with DCMH, Turner created several ovarian cancer awareness programs to educate others in the community. Turner also hopes that through her participation in the clinical trials, she can continue to educate the medical profession. Turner sits on the Ovarian Cancer board. She has also reached out to other nearby Spirit of Women hospitals in hopes of creating additional ovarian cancer educational events and spreading awareness.