Meet the 2008 Scholars

Lillian Kay Tackett
Public Health Nurse
Boone County Health Department
West Virginia

My name is Lillian Kay Tackett.  I live at Costa, in Boone County, West Virginia.  Costa is approximately 20 miles south of Charleston, WV.  I live with my husband, Bobby and we have been married 41 years.  Together we have three daughters and a son.  All of my children are married and they have given us 18 grandchildren.  I am raising two of my grandchildren.  Along with our big family, we have two horses, four dogs, and two cats.  My favorite pastimes are:  walking, horseback riding, and sports.  I like all sporting activities.  I love dancing and I workout at least three days a week in a local gym.

I love my job.  It consists of varied tasks.  At times it seems to get overwhelming but then a client will call or stop by and tell me they appreciate the help or information I gave them.  When I hear them say, “Kay, you did a great job”, I know its worth all the hassle and aggravation.  Knowing I have helped someone makes my day.  I love learning new things and seeing the expression on people’s faces when you say something helpful or made a phone call that in some small way has helped ease someone’s fears or  answered a question.

I teach CPR classes and first aid.  I love this also.  Just knowing that I have instructed someone in how to save a life or that someone in one of these classes may help save a person in an emergency situation is gratifying to me.  I believe that is what life is about, helping people and teaching others to help someone along the way.

I also teach a Sunday School class for ages two thru six years.  It amazes me how fast they learn.  I am very thankful and feel blessed to be able to teach these children at my church.  It is a blessing just to be around them.  I am a firm believer in Christ and my faith.  My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, which reads, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”.  I really believe in this Bible verse.  I am so thankful and feel blessed to receive this scholarship.  I really believe I can do all things through Christ.  This is where my strength comes from.  My belief is that I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to with God’s help.  He is my rock and salvation.  In Him I am safe and secure.  I love reading my Bible every day.  The Bible has many different stories; love, war, murder, mysteries, or even adultery.  It contains any subject you want to read.

One of my most rewarding accomplishments was fulfilling my dream to be supervisor of the Boone County Home Health Agency.  It was difficult to return to school and become a Certified Nursing Assistant, but with great anticipation I enrolled and completed this task.  I enjoyed the training, meeting new people, and learning skills to start a new career as a Home Health Aide with the Boone County Health Department.  Things begin to happen.  I had a new career and a new outlook on the health field.  I loved my job and my patients.  I had a supervisor that knew how to efficiently run a home health agency.  She was an inspiration to me.  I began to set new goals for myself and enrolled in the University of Charleston in the Nursing Program.  I had determination, but was scared to death.  I wanted to be a Registered Nurse with a four year degree and then return to the Boone County Home Health Department and work in the a supervisor.  I went back under the same supervisor and after her retirement I applied for her position and got the job.  With the grace of God, I DID IT!  It was challenging but fulfilling.  My previous supervisor returned to work on a part-time basis and this time she worked for me.  It was a blessing!  We all worked together as a team, the RN’s, CNA’s, and office staff.  It was very rewarding.  I took over in the year 1996 and in 1998 my staff and I received a 100% rating from Medicaid and Mamsi.  I DID IT!  Of course, my staff was a great asset.  It was not only a reward getting 100%, but helping clients and having a wonderful, helpful staff to work with.

I have heard the saying, “When one door closes another opens”.  The Home Health Agency was closed because of lack of financial funding.  I was fortunate to have been given the opportunity to stay at the Boone County Health Department and work in public health.  Now I have different goals to meet.  This is also a rewarding career.  I enjoy the position I have.

I feel I will grow with this leadership.  You never get to old to learn if you apply yourself.  Learning is a lifetime process an you are not finished until the end.  I intend to accomplish my goals and finish this class.  My plan is to obtain a masters degree with two years.  I welcome all the help I can get.  I work well as a team member and I feel I am a good team leader.