May 14, 2025
Daniel Hunsucker, PIO, [email protected]
LENOWISCO Health District Nurse Named Virginia’s Public Health Nurse of the Year
WISE, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), along with the LENOWISCO Health District, is pleased to announce Joie Cantrell as the 2025 Virginia Public Health Nurse of the Year. Joie, a nurse with the Wise County Health Department, has more than 35 years of experience with VDH where she has worked in many different aspects of public health, including home health, maternal and child health, clinical services, tuberculosis (TB) outreach, communicable disease prevention and treatment, and comprehensive harm reduction.
In addition, she has consistently advocated for policies and practices that reduce health disparities, ensuring that marginalized communities, including those affected by substance use and homelessness, receive much needed care and support.
“Joie exemplifies what a nurse truly is,” said Reisa Sloce, Director of the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts. “She provides comfort and compassion for those who are in her care no matter their circumstances. Joie is passionate about her work, and it is clearly reflected in her care of patients.”
Through her leadership in harm reduction, Joie directly contributes to reducing overdose deaths and strives to prevent infectious diseases, aligning with VDH’s goal of promoting and protecting public health. By implementing programs like comprehensive harm reduction and providing those tools necessary to save lives due to overdoses, Joie consistently demonstrates her desire to prevent drug-related deaths in addition to the spread of infectious diseases, particularly among vulnerable and under-served populations, and those who inject drugs.
By implementing community-oriented care, a key principle of public health, Joie collaborates with local organizations and stakeholders to provide full support for individuals who need assistance accessing many different types of heath care and community services. As she looks for ways to improve health outcomes, she often thinks “outside the box” for ways to provide needed services.
Her tireless work, often beyond regular hours, reflects her commitment to making a lasting, positive impact on public health, to ensure every individual has the opportunity to lead a healthier life.