WINDSOR — Bertie Memorial Hospital pharmacy manager Wallace Nelson was recently awarded the Order of Long Leaf Pine from North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue.

The award was presented to Nelson at a state Pharmacy Board dinner recently by Mike James.

James, president of Peoples Pharmacy in Raleigh and an active member in legislative affairs at the state and national level, bestowed the honor on behalf of the Governor to Nelson for his years of service to the community.

In April, Nelson completed 10 years of service protecting the health and safety of North Carolina’s citizens on the Board of Pharmacy.

He served as board president in 2003-2004 and 2007-2008.

Nelson and other members commit a minimum of 50 to 60 days per year to board business, often at substantial personal and professional sacrifice says its executive director.

The Board was formed to protect public health, safety and welfare in pharmaceutical matters.

In addition to his work on the Board of Pharmacy, Nelson has served as a member of the Perquimans County Board of Commissioners and College of the Albemarle Board of Trustees, with two years as chairman.

He is currently a member of the Perquimans Board of Education, Perquimans County Planning Board and the Albemarle Regional Health Services Board.

“I was very surprised to receive this recognition,” said a humble Nelson.

“I never expected it, but it does affirm that efforts to help and make things better for people are worthwhile.

I am a firm believer that we should all give back to our community.” “Wallace is in short, a pillar of his community,” said Jay Campbell, executive director of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. “His lifetime of service makes him a most deserving recipient of this high honor.”

Nelson has been with Bertie Memorial Hospital for 7 years. He is also the Pharmacy Manager at Chowan Hospital in Edenton.

He is married to the former Freda Godwin and they have two children, Ethan and Lauren.

In addition to the many boards he serves on, Nelson is active in his church and is a long time leader in prison ministry.

About Bertie Memorial Hospital Bertie Memorial Hospital is a subsidiary of East Carolina Health, part of the University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. Bertie Memorial Hospital is located at 1403 S. King Street in Windsor and can be accessed online at www.bertie.uhseast.com.