As an African American public health

nurse, the late Gwendolyn Atkins spent a lifetime healing bruises in the

community.

For nearly three decades, retired

nurse Gwen Atkins walked door to door in Newtown neighborhoods, public housing

areas and in migrant camps teaching young mothers about childcare, treating

childhood diseases, monitoring the health of aging residents and making sure

seasonal workers received medical services. She set up a makeshift clinic in

the garage of Stephens Funeral Home. “We’d treat impetigo and ring worms. She

became extended family members of their patients.

The line between work and play often

blurred. Nursing and being on call, accessible and always available was a way

of life. “If I had to do it all over again, I would choose public health

nursing and I would choose serving my community. That’s what I love more than

anything else,” Atkins said.