Baptist Memorial Health Care recognized Arika Bailey, board-certified nurse practitioner with Baptist Medical Group-Medicine Preoptimization Clinic (MPOC), as the 2026 Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year during its fifth annual APP Conference on Sept. 18. Bailey received the award for her exceptional patient care, clinical expertise, leadership and lasting contributions to MPOC.
“Arika represents the very best of advanced practice at Baptist Memorial,” said Chief Advanced Practice Officer Amanda Comer. “Her dedication to high-quality patient care has contributed to improved patient outcomes, shorter hospital stays and fewer postoperative complications. She has mentored other APPs and helped grow the perioperative program across the Baptist Memorial system, leaving a lasting impact.”
Baptist Memorial presents the APP Award annually before National Advanced Practice Provider Week, observed during the fourth week of September.
Team members from Baptist Memorial’s 200 clinics and 25 hospitals nominated 165 advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and physician assistants who demonstrate excellence in promoting positive change in the practice environment.
“As the clinic’s first advanced practice provider, Arika Bailey worked alongside Dr. Brennan McCullar to establish the clinic approximately three years ago,” Bailey’s nominator noted. “Her contributions helped transform a new clinic into an organized, dependable service for patients, surgeons, anesthesia providers and the broader perioperative team. She has supported the growth of APPs not only in Memphis but across all MPOC locations.”
Baptist Memorial’s APP Conference is designed to educate, inspire and celebrate local APPs who ensure patients and communities receive safe, high-quality care. The conference also featured poster presentations of quality improvement projects from Baptist Health Sciences University students pursuing the Doctor of Nurse Practice degree.
