Baptist nurses are appreciated year-round for their dedication and service. During National Nurses Week from May 6 through May 12, Baptist Memorial hospitals honored nurses with extra recognition and special events.
Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center
Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center recognized its nursing team members who have gone the extra mile to maintain the highest credentials in their specialty. Certification affirms advanced knowledge, skill and practice needed to meet the challenges of modern nursing and improve patient outcomes.
Nurses recognized include (front row) Lisa Butler, RN, CNOR; Hannah Cain, RN, WCC; Vicki Smith, RN, CEN; Nina Carman, RN, CRNI-INS; Andrea Laird, RN, CIC; Terri Patterson, RN, CECES; April Floyd, RN, CCDS; (back row) Cassandra Gibbs, RN, OCN; Marjorie Miller, RN, CCRN; Michelle Johnson, RN, IBCLC; Tamora Hollingsworth, RN, CRCST; Amanda Litchfield, RN, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist; Christopher Rutland, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN; Sade Rogers, RN, PMHNP-BC; and Leigh Ann Tollison, RN, CCDS.
Nurses who were honored but not pictured include Renee Homan, RN, CCM; Megan Walker, RN, WCC; Terkita Kennedy, RN, PMHNP; Libbi Trawick, RN, WCC; Debra Nichols, RN, CNOR; Jana Cook, RN, IBCLC; Jordan Hales, RN, CEN; Paula Vital, RN, CEN; Sheri Shelby, RN, NCSN; Adonia Ross, RN, WCC, LNCC; Julia Moore, RN, CCRN; Savannah Ivey, RN, WCC; Ashton Chancelor, RN, WCC; Jackie Coleman, RN, CCDS; Kristi Kersh, RN, CCDS; Debbie Godwin, RN, CCDS, RHIT, CCS, CCSP; Krystal Palmer, RN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC; Charlotte Massey, RN, CNOR, CRNFA; Vivian Wilson, RN, RNC-OB; Diana Lynn Bush, RN, RNC-OB; Patti Ball, RN, RNC-OB; Deshuanda Sears, RN, RNC-OB; Marcie Alvarez, RN, CCRN; Michelle Bondie, RN, CCRN, CFRN; Wendy Daugherty, RN, CCRN; Richard Ferguson, RN, CCRN; Noah Pogue, RN, CCRN; Jamie Shelby, RN, CCRN; Kristi Walters, RN, CCRN; Regina Haralson, RN, CCRP; and Florence Wright, BSN, CRNFA.
Baptist Booneville
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Booneville celebrated with breakfast bashes, taco Tuesday, popcorn parties, pizza feasts and an ice cream extravaganza.
Nurses also received giveaways from local businesses, and the hospital installed a yard sign to honor and welcome nurses.
Baptist Collierville
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville honored nurses with fun activities, food and celebrations.
During its annual Nursing Excellence Tea, Baptist Collierville recognized several nurses and support staff for their excellence in practice, education and leadership.
Nursing Excellence Awards were given to the following Baptist Collierville team members:
- Leadership: Mark Gibson, RN
- Practice: Gail Staples, RN
- Education: Perri Holcomb, RN
- Overall: Shannon McBroom, RN
- Medical Executive Committee $2,000 Scholarship: Becca Rector, RN
Ancillary Nursing Awards were presented to the following team members:
- Surgical Tech: Kayla Brady
- PCA: Aeyah Abdelmajid
- AUC: Gayle Pannell
- Case Tech: Sharon Jackson
Baptist DeSoto
Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto celebrated its Nurse Excellence Award nominees and announced its 2024 Nurse Excellence winners at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 8.
Baptist DeSoto nurses earning Nurse Excellence Awards include:
- Friend of Nursing: Sandra Talley Moore – EVS
- Nurse Educator: Lisa Sweat, RN – ICUSD and Observation
- Rising Star: Julie Murphy, RN – 6 Tower
- Nurse Mentor: Andrea Garrett, RN – Clinical Coordinator Nursing Staff Development
- Nurse Manager: Molly Dyer, RN – Outpatient Surgery
- A.G.E. Nurse: Holly Kirk, RN – ER
- Nurse Excellence Non-traditional Setting: JoBeth Ammer, RN – Quality
- Nurse Excellence: Marayla Nystrand, RN – CCU
Pictured left to right are Marayla Nystrand, Julie Murphy, Lisa Sweatt, Sandra Talley Moore, Molly Dyer and JoBeth Ammer with CNO Randy White.
Baptist Golden Triangle
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle celebrated its nurses on Monday, May 6, with Fun Day, which included a 3K run, cornhole tournament, cake walk, inflatable slide, music, snow cones and prizes.
Baptist North Mississippi
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Baptist North Mississippi started the week off with a refueling station with the delivery of Nothing Bundt Cakes to all units. For self-care Tuesday, the hospital placed two massage chairs in break areas for team members to relax and recharge.
“We appreciate you a ‘Waffle Lot’ Wednesday” began with a waffle breakfast served by nursing leadership. Thursday and Friday activities included gold medal goodies, a photo booth and Oxsicles frozen treats. The hospital also recognized 12 exceptional nurses who won awards for their outstanding service.
MBMC
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center held a breakfast to honor 2023 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses recipients and their nursing leaders. DAISY Award winners are nominated by patients or their families for going above and beyond in patient care while demonstrating remarkable compassion and dedication.
Head Nurse from 5 South Surgical Unit, Kelly Davies, BSN, Certified Medical-Surgical RN, won the Nurse of the Year honor for 2024. The Nurse of the Year is an advocate for the nursing profession and is recognized for professionalism, teamwork, positive attitude and compassion for both staff and patients.
During the week, MBMC expressed its appreciation for the many contributions of nurses and their positive daily impact. The hospital wrapped up Nurses Week activities with visits from puppies and dogs for stress relief and happy moments.
Baptist Memphis
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis honored Nurses Week with cookie deliveries to nursing areas.
The hospital also awarded Nurse Excellence Awards to the following team members:
- Nurse Educator: Micha Lindsay – Neuro ICU
- Service: Stephanie Dukes – 4 North
- Leadership: Alicia McKinney – 3 North
- Management: Kaitlin Bradley – PACU
- Practice: Natressia Holt – 2 West
Baptist Memphis also celebrated nurse recognition by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Micah Lindsay was awarded Bedside Hero of the Year during the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s recent 2024 NightinGala celebration. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center also named Hailee Bridges, RN on 3 North, 2024 Outstanding Preceptor of the Year.
Baptist Tipton
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton celebrated Nurses Week with a recharge jumbo coloring contest, rolling breakfast cart, goodies baskets for each unit, s’mores for the “S’more you do,” roses for each nurse, cookie trays, nurse-themed stickers and Blessing of the Hands.
Baptist Tipton also presented the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to Medical-Surgical Head Nurse Sandra Poole, whose team and manager say they rest easier knowing she is on shift at night.
Nursing managers Jessica Ayers, Crystal Poole and Leslie Beyersdorf worked hard to make the week special for nurses.
Baptist Women’s Hospital and Baptist Children’s Hospital
Nurse leaders from Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital celebrated by volunteering at field day at Shrine School, the school adopted by the hospitals.
CNO April Fox said, “We enjoyed sharing laughter with these children who are full of so much life, energy and love. I especially loved seeing my nurses thrive in an environment where these medically fragile children with multiple disabilities and dual diagnoses enjoyed an active day of fun.”
Approximately 150 Shrine School students participated in a field day consisting of games, activities and contests for kindergarten through grade 12.
