Dana Aiken, RN

A registered nurse, Dana Aiken began her medical career in the Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) orthopedics unit after earning an associate degree in nursing from Technical College of The Lowcountry. There, she quickly demonstrated an expertise in joint replacement care and earned the position of designated joint replacement nurse. Her expert patient care also earned her a DAISY Award, an internationally recognized honor for registered nurses who demonstrate extraordinary clinical skill and compassion.

Aiken became the department director of the Beaufort County Detention Center’s health service department in 2021. She returned to BMH in 2023 as the Joint Replacement and Spine Program total joint and spine orthopedic care coordinator. In this position she expertly guides patients through the entire joint replacement and orthopedic surgery process to ensure each patient’s needs are met. Services she provides include connecting patients with an orthopedic provider, providing pre-operation education, and providing concierge service throughout the surgery process and beyond. Aiken also oversees the program’s quality measures and provides educational joint pain and orthopedic care events for the public.

The Beaufort native says she particularly identifies with orthopedic patients because she has a degenerative disease in her lower back. She underwent three orthopedic surgeries at BMH and is now recovered.