A Heart for Nursing

By Jaime Vance Hayes

As a child, Jenny Hardee tended to sick animals and helped care for her aging grandparents. Her compassionate spirit and caring heart led her to the nursing profession.

Jenny’s career as a nurse spans 40 years, from staff nurse to charge nurse to director and beyond. She has also served as a school nurse and a clinical instructor at Florence-Darlington Technical College.

She joined McLeod Health in 2005 as Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Health Darlington. Throughout the years, her roles would change and she would gain experience in other service lines within the hospital.

Jenny’s diverse background in nursing leadership prepared her for the next step in her career – Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Jenny stepped into the role of CEO at McLeod Health Darlington in 2016, where she served for five years. As McLeod Health Cheraw searched for a new CEO in 2020, Jenny served as Interim CEO, while maintaining Darlington.

In January 2023, Jenny became the CEO of McLeod Health Dillon, a 79-bed hospital located right in the heart of the rural community. As CEO, Jenny focuses on the mission and vision of McLeod Health and alignment with the local community.

“For a rural area like Dillon, the hospital makes a tremendous impact and is vital to the health of residents,” said Jenny. “While we do not offer all services in Dillon, we are able to treat, stabilize and transfer patients in a very convenient location.”

Jenny believes the people at McLeod Health Dillon are its biggest asset.

“I love our people the most,” she continued. “They are helpful, welcoming, thankful and gracious to work alongside.

“There is an incredible hometown feeling within this hospital,” Jenny added. “We are local people caring for local people – taking care of those we see at the grocery store or at church.

“I love the fact that a small rural hospital feels like family. In any circumstance, we all come together to get things done.”

Dillon’s proximity to Interstate 95 results in increased trauma cases treated at the hospital.

“Our Emergency Department stays quite busy,” explained Jenny. “That department and others around the hospital – such as Respiratory, Surgery and Laboratory – work together seamlessly to take the best care of the patient.”

For Jenny, her family is her biggest treasure. She and her husband Todd have two sons: Templin and his wife Jennifer, and Sandy and his wife Talon. Templin and Jennifer have blessed Jenny and Todd with their two beloved grandchildren, Jayce and Kistler.

“We are fortunate to have both our boys nearby, and we cherish being able to spend time with our grandchildren.”

Jenny has passed her love of bicycling to her grandchildren. “They are both becoming very confident riders,” she said. “We can ride six to ten miles.”

Jenny is also an avid reader. She enjoys time at the beach and spending time in her yard. “Working in the yard is a hobby and I love it, but it’s also special time on my knees spent with God.”