News

Peggy A. Diehl Has Been Named Community Health Nurse Coordinator

01/02/08

Beebe Medical Center has appointed Peggy A.. Diehl, RN, MSN, CEN, to the position of Community Health Nurse Coordinator.

Ms. Diehl, who began in her new role December 10, is responsible for Beebe Medical Center's Community Health programs, which include free health screenings, outreach to local organizations, participation in local health fairs, and health education. Community Health outreach efforts focus on the prevention and early detection of disease and illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Ms. Diehl also will oversee Beebe Medical Center's community health nurses that conduct screenings and events, and the Community Healthcare Access Program (CHAP) care coordinators based at Beebe Medical Center. Ms. Diehl reports to Mark B. Thompson, Director of Public Relations and Community Health.

"We are pleased to have someone of Peggy's experience and background to coordinate our many health screening and education programs," said Mr. Thompson. "We believe that she will be a true asset to Beebe as we continue to grow and meet the healthcare needs of the communities that we serve."

Ms. Diehl brings more than 25 years of experience in the nursing field and in community involvement. She has most recently served as the Clinical Education Specialist for Beebe Medical Center where, since 2004, she has been responsible for developing educational programs for nurses. She also has been working as a nurse in Beebe Medical Center's Emergency Department.





Ms. Diehl began her nursing career in 1978 as an LPN at Memorial Hospital in York, PA. She earned her associates degree in nursing from Harrisburg Area Community College. Upon becoming a registered nurse, she went to York Hospital to become an emergency room nurse. In 1991, she joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corp where she worked for six years. After she left the Army, she continued to work in the emergency rooms of Memorial Hospital and University of Pennsylvania Hospital. She also has worked as a sexual assault nurse examiner.

While in Pennsylvania, her community health experience included working in a health education program for York County school children, working in a health education program for women and children in a homeless shelter, and chairing a Safe Kids Coalition "Buckle Up" program. She also set up a variety of heath screening events. She served on the Executive Board of the York County Safe Kids Coalition and on the York County Domestic Violence Committee. Ms. Diehl earned her bachelors degree in business management from York College and her master's degree in science from the University of Phoenix. She is also board certified for emergency nursing.

In 2001, Ms. Diehl started her three-year stint as a traveling nurse, working on assignments in San Diego, CA, Miami FL and Baltimore and Ocean City, MD, before settling in Sussex County, DE. Ms. Diehl is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association, the National Nursing Staff Development Organization and the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.

"I look forward to getting out into the community and educating people about the importance of screenings and detecting life-threatening diseases as early as possible," Ms. Diehl said. "We want people to know of the healthcare programs available to them, especially if they have financial constrictions, and that early care can make a difference."

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org