Meet Occupational Employee Health and Safety Director Jane Yates

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Jane Yates BSN, RN always knew she wanted to be a public health nurse. Working with DPH, and formerly DHEC, for almost 30 years, she was able to fulfill that calling, which ultimately led to her role as the agency’s Occupational Health and Safety Director in September.

Can you tell us a little about what you do and why your position is rewarding?  
I have worked at DHEC/DPH for almost 30 years. Most of my time has been in the Maternal Child Health programs, but I have worked every program throughout my career in public health.

I just recently accepted the job as the Occupational Health and Safety Director. I have always known that I wanted to be a public health nurse, even before I went to nursing school. In my current position I feel that I can focus on the needs of our staff, who meet the needs of our clients each day. We focus so much on the client but sometimes forget about the employee who sees the clients each day. 

What originally attracted you to work at DPH?   
Nursing is not just a job to me — it is a gift that God gave me. I actually used the health department services when I was a teenager and young adult because I didn't have insurance coverage. I was always treated with respect and received excellent care. I admired the nurses I saw at my visits and knew that I wanted to have a job like that.

Once I became an employee and a mother, having worked in the Child Health area and witnessing how strictly the policies and procedures were adhered to, I had both of my children receive their immunizations from our local health department. 

What do you value most about working here, and what has kept you here?   
The people I have worked with over the years are like family to me. We share the good times and the bad times together. I have developed lifelong friendships with so many of my coworkers.

When an emergency occurred in the region I formerly worked in, I knew we would be fine because of the wonderful and competent staff I had the honor to work with. I still see clients from my past days as a frontline nurse, and they still recognize me as the nurse they saw at the health department. I hope I made a difference in their lives and made them feel cared for. I know they made a difference in my life.

What are some “selling points” about DPH that you didn’t know about when you first applied?  
The friendships I have made over the years. The family atmosphere, the care shown to one another. The unique care that we provide to our clients. The experiences some of our clients have had and overcome. Seeing clients for years in some cases. Watching them grow up and then have a family of their own. The retirement is definitely worth it.