Carolyn Wetzel Continuum Award

Rose L. Horton, MSM, RN, NEA-BC will be honored with the Carolyn Wetzel Continuum Award at the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHBGA) virtual Annual Meeting and Conference. 

The Wetzel Continuum Award recognizes a volunteer or health professional who contributes to the health and well being of Georgia’s families by being a positive change agent in the public arena of advocacy and policy. This award is in memory of Carolyn Wetzel, a long-time HMHBGA member, friend, and dedicated public health advocate for mothers and babies. 

Horton has cared and advocated for birthing people and their families for over 25 years as a women’s health nurse. Prior to taking on her current position, Horton coordinated the opening of two freestanding birth centers in Tennessee and Colorado. Horton now serves as the Specialty Director for Women and Infant Services at Emory Decatur Hospital (EDH) where she oversees nurses, patient experience, quality initiatives, and development opportunities. 

As a Past President of the Association of Women’s Health and Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, Horton routinely speaks on the national level on topics such as joy at work and nurses’ role in improving maternal mortality and morbidity. Horton leads nurses in making lasting change by pursuing partnerships between hospitals and community organizations such as WIC, Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), Center for Black Women’s Wellness (CBWW), and HMHBGA. 

“Rose is the type of leader that other nurses want to follow. Rose encourages those she works with to practice gratitude, build resilience and find joy at work. Her ability to see patients as individuals, and to put what is best for that individual at the center of decision making is unparalleled. By modeling compassion, empathy, and understanding for each person’s unique situation, Rose challenges her peers to meet patients where they are.”