Diane Swain, BSN, MBA, has joined WellStar Health System as vice president and chief operating officer for WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. Swain will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations for the system's largest hospital.

Swain, who has 25 years of health care experience, came from Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare in Memphis, where she served as vice president of operations. She was responsible for establishing strategic direction and providing leadership for clinical areas across the seven-hospital system.

PEER AWARDS: The staff at DeKalb Medical recently voted Paul Olander as 2008 Leader of the Year. The Employee of the Year Award was shared by Victor Beasley, Gwen Banton and Helen Walker.

Olander is the director of care management and behavioral health. Beasley is a patient care technician in the emergency department.

Banton, RN, is the charge nurse in the emergency department. Walker, RN, is an intensive care unit nurse.

NURSES EARN CERTIFICATION: Ten nurses at MCGHealth in Augusta — Robin Guiney, Sandra Warren, Mumina Hussaini, Barbara Turner, Brenda Heidman, Cindy Brooks, Maria Whittington, Sandra Banks, Mark Ricketts and Christina Zemp — recently earned CMSRN (certified medical-surgical nurse) designation.

The certification signifies that a nurse has an advanced clinical knowledge in medical-surgical nursing and demonstrates to his or her colleagues and patients a commitment to excellence.

BCIA CERTIFICATION: Physical therapists Olabisi J. Brown and Remilekun Durojaiye have become certified in pelvic muscle dysfunction biofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America.

Olabisi and Remi, who work in Piedmont Hospital's rehabilitation services department, earned the certification by completing basic degree and educational requirements, learning to apply clinical biofeedback skills during a mentorship and passing a written examination.

NEW FACE AT GNA: Merri Brantley has joined the Georgia Nurses Association as director of marketing and communications. She previously served five years as director of the press office at the Georgia Senate and has worked for the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Association of Educators.

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