Heather Hayes has a special place in her heart for children and abuse victims. Her passion has led her to serve as the Director of the Edmondson Telford Center for Children for 17 years in Gainesville and as the Forensic Medical Examiner for child abuse cases.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Brenau University, a Masters from North Georgia College & State University and practiced as an Registered Nurse in NICU, Labor & Delivery for a few years.
Heather is married to her Gainesville High school sweetheart Abb Hayes and has two children (third generation Red Elephants Sara, 20 and Andy, 17).
We recently caught up with Heather to find out more about her work with children and her love for the community.
Question: What do you think is the best part of Hall County?
Answer: “The best part of Hall County I believe is the community support resources for families and young children. It is difficult for me to identify a human services agency or program that is not provided somewhere in some facet in this community. I am proud of this around me and I am especially honored to be able to play a role in providing critical services to suspected child victims and their caregivers, as well.
“From parks and recreational programs to human services and business development, Hall County offers the total package to families living here.”
Q: What is your fondest memory of Hall County?
A: “My fondest memory…hard! Maybe winning the GHS State Football Championship in 2012. My daughter was in high school then and it was so amazing seeing the whole community come out to show their support for the team heading to the Goergia Dome. Of course, my son played on the 2015 GHS Baseball Varsity team and we had another similar experience as they played for the State Baseball Championship, as well. I guess overall, some of my favorite memories have been watching the GHS community support the school in academics and sports and the arts. There are so many generations involved in supporting the City system and it has created a beautifully unique and diverse group of supporters of all ages and backgrounds.”
Q: What is something about you that would surprise even your closest friends and family?
A: “I can play several musical instruments and figure skated (ice skating) competitively for awhile.”
Q: What led you to pursue your current career?
A: “I am asked this often actually and I still can’t answer it well. I didn’t really pursue the career I have but I merely ‘backed into it,’ I suppose. I was a young mom, about to work part-time as a nurse when I was asked about taking the helm at the newly opened child abuse center and it just went from there. I am forever grateful to Lydia Sartain and Karen Jackson who were the primary forces in approaching me to become the ETCC Executive Director. I had never loved the non-profit world necessarily, but the mission and the services have become my life’s passion. It is blessing to be able to help child victims during their time of need and I am honored everyday to be a part of the mission to end child abuse and educate adults on how they, too, can prevent it.”
Q: Where could you eat for a week in Hall County? And if you could take anyone to lunch, dead or alive, who would it be and where?
A: “I love so many places to eat here it’s embarrassing. Two Dog is one of my all time favorites. Basically, anything on the square is great. And, it’s hard to be a GHS sports fan and not enjoy Little Italy and Mellow Mushroom a great deal. They are all awesome. Fajitas and Two Dog might be my front runners though if I had to limit.
“My favorite person to take to dinner dead or alive? Maybe, Florence Nightingale. As a nurse, it would be incredible to hear from her how she started the profession that has meant so much to me and her principles on caring for the whole body – mind, body and spirit – and how the environment and care affects the whole outcome. I think it would be fun to take her to a food truck because those are becoming some of my favorite spots lately and it might be funny to hear her take on the health concerns surrounding them.
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
