A caring touch, a soothing voice and a gentle smile are among the characteristics one Orangeburg woman has displayed in her work as a cancer center director, nurse and service league advisor.

Whether helping people through a cancer diagnosis or an unsuccessful pregnancy, or coordinating the delivery of birthday cakes to nursing home residents, Delle Bolen has dedicated most of her 58 years of life extending a helping hand to others in need.

It is her propensity for showing regard and consideration for others that has earned her designation as the exemplification of respect for August 2007 as part of the Orangeburg County Community of Character initiative.

"It's an honor to be recognized. I think the Community of Character is a tremendous asset for Orangeburg. To be recognized as a recipient of a character trait is really an awesome experience," Bolen said.

Bolen served 13 years as director of the H. Filmore Mabry Cancer Center on the campus of the Regional Medical Center. She is now serving as an obstetric/gynecological nurse in the office of Drs. Williamson and Gillespie. Bolen is also sustainer advisor for the president of the Orangeburg Junior Service League.

How important has showing respect to others been to Bolen?

"Respect was very important in my lifetime. My mother instilled in me the sense that every person has value and brings something to your life. She also told me every person I came in contact with was somebody's mother, father, sister or brother. She felt and lived that it was very important to treat them like you wanted to be treated, or expected your loved one to be treated," Bolen said.

"That's sort of been my philosophy in my entire career. I don't see race; I don't see color. I see people that need to be taken care of or assisted in health care," she said.

While she doesn't do any baking, she does coordinate the delivery of birthday cakes to residents of three Orangeburg area nursing homes and the Orangeburg County Council on Aging.

"Every person has value, and in order to make them see their own value, I think that's where the service kicks in. You give back to people that are less fortunate than you and have different needs than you because you respect them as individuals," Bolen said.

Respect for the diverse backgrounds and situations from which many of her nursing patients come is also critical, she said.

"You have to consider the cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and put all of that together to render the best care you can. You have to respect where they are and sculpt their care based on where they are," Bolen said. "There's no prejudgment when you provide nursing care."

Some patients who don't even need care call Bolen up just to say hello.

"It's very rewarding when you form not only a professional relationship, but a personal relationship, where they trust you and feel confident enough in your ability that they consider you a friend," Bolen said.

Bolen also tends to the health care needs of her own family members, including an elderly aunt and uncle from Virginia. She and her siblings moved them to Orangeburg so that they could be more involved in their day-to-day care.

"Their only daughter died about two years ago after a long battle with MS, and their health has begun to decline. My sisters and I felt very strongly that we needed them a little closer ... so they're settling into The Oaks.

"That brought a whole different connotation to respect because they were at a place where they didn't feel like they needed our help, and we felt like they did. So, we had to meet and respect them where they were, but still do the right thing for the right reasons," Bolen said.

Bolen and her husband, Shelby, who is the owner of Bolen Tree Service, are the parents of a married daughter, Laura Fogle. Fogle is a nurse in the Wound Center at the RMC.

Bolen said she has enjoyed a life filled with giving back to her community.

"I feel like I've gotten back so much more than I've given in the wonderful people that I've met, the activities that I've been able to participate in and the health care opportunities that have come about: the cancer center and our hospice program (at the RMC)," Bolen said. "It's been a great experience."

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T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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