by Raven Mackey
The University of West Georgia recently said goodbye to one of its beloved nurses. Denise A. Parham retired on January 1, 2015. She has been working at UWG for 20 years, all while inspiring and changing lives of young women.
“I love providing the health care and teaching the females,” Denise said. “I love watching them blossom and grow beyond the challenges and setbacks that they inquire along this journey called life.”
She graduated from Grady Memorial Hospitals School of Nursing in 1975 and later attended the nursing practitioner program at Emory Training Center OB/GYN. Denise began her career as a registered nurse nearly 40 years ago, and has been a nurse practitioner for 23 years. After working at various hospitals, she began to call UWG home in 1994, serving as the women’s health nurse practitioner-board certified.
Denise aims to be an advocate for anyone who steps foot in her door. Not only does she provide medical advice, but she makes her patients feel comfortable and at home by adding a motherly touch to the Health Center.
“I strive to instill in my females to see the best in themselves, realize how special they are, and realize their true purpose in life,” said Denise. “My daily goal is to reach at least one individual to encourage, inspire, and render a special need in their life.”
Denise shared that she will always cherish her time here at the university. The joy her patients have brought her will not soon be forgotten, and her co-workers have become her second family.
“l will miss the interaction with the students especially the females, who I call affectionately my babies (the young women) and the joy they bring to me on a daily basis,” she concluded.
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