Tennessee Valley Healthcare System

Nurses (from left: Tara Niemi, Crystal Phillips, Donna Diogo, Nancy Shea) from TVHS have collected more than 150 phones for donatation to local women organizations helping victims of domestic violence.

Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) has collected more than 150 cell phones donated by employees. These phones will soon be in the purses of women who are victims of domestic violence in the greater Nashville area.

The donation program was initiated by the healthcare system’s Nursing Magnet Steering Committee. The committee introduced the donation program as its community outreach initiative.  According to Diana Diogo, who managed the program, TVHS employees have really showed their generosity and commitment to this effort.

"Employees have been very willing to help with donations," said Diogo.  "They have voiced the worthiness of this cause and know that their donation will have a positive impact for victims of domestic violence."

The phones donated are used, and according to most who donate are usually "collecting dust" around their homes. Phones donated are given to local domestic violence shelters and provided to women for use to dial 911 in an emergency. The phones memory is erased prior to being given to domestic violence victims to protect the privacy of the prior owner.

Diogo and the rest of the Nurses Magnet Steering Committee look forward to further collections helping women organizations in their needed efforts.

"I know this program benefits these women through a difficult time in their life and offers them increased sense of safety," said Diogo.

TVHS will continue this collection again next year in July. For more information on this donation program, contact Dian Diogo at 615.873.7876.