Roxanne Davis, MPH, RD, LD, CNSC, has always had big goals. An avid runner, she is determined to run 50 marathons in 50 states by the time she is 50 years old.
“I have six years to get in 15 more,” she says. “I’m diligently checking them off. It’s been a great way for me to see the country and stay motivated.”
Roxanne brings that same motivation to all areas of her life. When she began working at Beaufort Memorial nearly 20 years ago, she thought it would be a short-term gig. Instead, it turned into a journey that would change her life, both professionally and personally.
“I love Beaufort because it’s just beautiful, and I felt important and wanted,” she says. “It was pretty easy for me to make the decision to be here.”
Finding Her Footing
Roxanne, a registered dietitian, is the clinical nutrition manager for Beaufort Memorial, overseeing the inpatient and outpatient nutrition programs and working with patients who have diabetes and others who want to lose weight. When she first started, however, she thought her career would go in a different direction.
“I thought I was going to be a public health dietitian,” she says. “But I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I’ve been able to enhance my skills by being an employee here.”
Roxanne benefited from Beaufort Memorial’s tuition reimbursement program to get her master’s degree in public health in 2008.
“One of the important things in a job is having opportunities for advancement, learning and growth,” she says. “I am able to grow here, which I am thankful for.”
This year, Roxanne plans to become a certified diabetes education specialist. In addition to the chance to expand her skills, Roxanne appreciates being part of a caring team.
“Beaufort Memorial is a large and growing organization that feels like a family,” she says.
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A Heart for the Planet
Roxanne is also committed to making a difference in the hospital and the community in other ways. In 2022, she received the Community Champion of the Year award, part of the annual Beaufort Memorial Bemmy Awards, which are given to employees who exemplify the organization’s mission and values.
Roxanne served as the leader of the Green Team, a group dedicated to focusing on sustainability at the hospital. The Green Team has helped Beaufort Memorial switch from foam food containers to compostable alternatives and replace plastic straws with reusable ones. They are also a part of the Adopt-A-Highway program and advocate for recycling in the hospital.
“It was an honor to be nominated and win the award,” Roxanne says. “When you come to work and get recognized for going above and beyond, it’s very motivating.”
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Keeping Pace with Family and Friends
Roxanne enjoys playing soccer with her son and is looking forward to getting married in May. As for her future running endeavors, Roxanne plans to tackle the Golden Driller marathon in Oklahoma in April, followed by three marathons in four days in September across Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
She cherishes the friendships she has made at Beaufort Memorial, including her “nearest and dearest” friend Kenneth Clyburn, director of medical records, who has been her running partner for 19 years. She has also made new friends through participating in events like the Palmetto 200 relay race.
“That was a really cool way to build relationships,” she says of the 200-mile race that spans from Columbia to Charleston, in which 12 people from Beaufort Memorial participated. “I enhanced friendships I had and built new ones I didn’t have before.”
Looking for somewhere to put your skills and passion for service to work? Browse current job openings at Beaufort Memorial.