Yanahires "Iris" Murillo Named Agricultural Outreach Worker of the Year
Date postedOctober 28, 2026
SCCHWA Member Spotlight: Yanahires "Iris" Murillo Named Agricultural Outreach Worker of the Year
We are thrilled to celebrate one of our certified members, Yanahires “Iris” Murillo, for her outstanding dedication to rural and migrant health in South Carolina!
Earlier this year, Iris was officially named the Agricultural Outreach Worker of the Year by the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association (SCPHCA) during their annual Support Staff, Outreach, and Enrollment (SEA) Retreat. The award caught her completely by surprise, recognizing her deep impact on the ground in the Pee Dee region.
As an Agricultural Outreach Specialist for CareSouth Carolina, Iris serves as a vital bridge for migrant and seasonal agricultural workers and their families. Using her bilingual skills, she works directly in the fields and rural communities to eliminate language and cultural barriers, ensuring farmworkers can access mobile health units, primary medical care, and essential social resources.
Alongside her award win, Iris reached another major professional milestone this past April by successfully completing her training and earning her official Certified Community Health Worker (CHW) credential through SCCHWA.
“Earning my Certified Community Health Worker credential is a meaningful achievement that recognizes my dedication to helping others,” Murillo said. “It strengthens my ability to connect patients with resources, advocate for their needs, and improve their overall well-being at CareSouth Carolina. I am especially proud to have completed the certification exam in Spanish, demonstrating my commitment to supporting Spanish-speaking patients and reducing language barriers in healthcare.”
Murillo said her passion for helping others continues to drive her work every day.
“The biggest thing that motivates me is knowing I’ve helped someone,” she said. “I especially enjoy assisting people who don’t speak or understand English because I can help bridge that communication gap and make their experience easier and more comfortable.”
Please join us in congratulating Iris on her well-deserved award and celebrating her dedication as a Certified CHW! Your hard work makes a life-changing difference for South Carolina's frontline agricultural workers.