Baptist Memorial Health Care team members celebrated National Hospital Week, May 10–16, with fun activities and delicious food. Several hospitals incorporated patriotic themes in honor of America’s 250th birthday, and some hospitals brought out their best singers for “Baptist Idol” competitions. Team members at all hospitals wore their new “Caring is our Calling” T-shirts during Friday’s events. Keep reading for more details!
Baptist Anderson
Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center honored team members and volunteers during Hospital Week for their unwavering dedication to patients. The festivities kicked off early Monday morning with the executive team greeting team members with donuts as they ended and began their shifts.
Team members enjoyed courtyard picnics on Tuesday and Thursday, with hamburgers from the grill and fresh-cut watermelon. The much-anticipated build-your-own ice cream sundae social was held midweek, with leaders serving team members a variety of ice cream flavors and brownies with many topping offerings.
Other fun activities included a photo booth, watermelon decorating contest (won by the Medical Staff office) and a “Guess Who?” game that featured baby photos of the executive and leadership teams. A highlight of the week was the dunking booth, in which 30 brave leaders took the plunge to support the hospital’s Volunteer Auxiliary.
Baptist Attala
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Attala celebrated its incredible team with five days of activities, starting off with a prayer vigil, followed by a delicious breakfast and ice cream social. On Tuesday, team members enjoyed Silly Sock Day and a nacho cheese bar for “Nacho Average Staff.” Wednesday celebrations featured a picnic lunch, a Dunk Your Leaders dunking booth and Funny Nose Day.
Thursday included Bow Tie Day and a circus-themed celebration with funnel cake fries and popcorn. On Friday, Baptist Attala wrapped up Hospital Week with Fun Friday Hat Day, cake, ice cream and cookies.
Baptist Booneville
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Booneville celebrated Hospital Week with a “Totally Throwback” theme that brought energy, nostalgia and appreciation across the facility. The week started with a pep rally as leaders greeted staff arriving to clock in, cheered them on and offered appreciation while serving breakfast. Team members also participated in the fun and lively Animal Print Day on Monday and showed off their entries into the decade-inspired door decorating contest.
Tuesday was Decades Day with employees dressing in attire from their favorite eras while enjoying retro snacks and activities, such as a Senior Leadership Fun Facts Quiz and paper airplane crafts. Wednesday was School Spirit Day with team members wearing their favorite team/school attire. Team members also enjoyed breakfast with pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, biscuits and Southern favorite chocolate gravy.
Thursday was Mars versus Maui Day with staff dressing in space- or tropical-themed attire, while leaders dressed as cafeteria workers and served classic cafeteria-style meals. Staff also enjoyed 80s and 90s trivia.
The week concluded with Baptist Spirit Day, as team members wore their Hospital Week T-shirts and participated in a cookout in which leaders served hamburgers and hotdogs.
Baptist Calhoun
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Calhoun and Baptist Nursing Home-Calhoun honored team members, nursing home residents and hospital swing-bed patients with fun daily activities and food.
Hospital Week kicked off with Tie-Dye Day, and the fun continued on Tuesday with Aloha Day. Wednesday was Sports Day, and Thursday was Disco Day.
The week wrapped up with Baptist T-Shirt Day, featuring a cookout with nursing home patients and their families and swing-bed patients.
Baptist Carroll County and Baptist Jackson Outpatient Surgery Department
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County and Baptist Jackson Outpatient Surgery department in Jackson, Tennessee, celebrated Hospital Week with a “We RACE for Exceptional Care” theme.
Throughout the week, team members enjoyed a variety of fun activities, including coffee bars, breakfasts, build-your-own sundae stations, snacks, picnics and a door decorating contest.
Baptist Collierville
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville started off Hospital Week with chicken biscuits for breakfast and visits from Kevin Redd, Baptist Collierville’s associate administrator, who donned an inflatable chicken costume for the occasion.
Tuesday featured prizes and distribution of the new “Caring is our Calling” T-shirts to team members. The fun continued on Wednesday with a Glow Party and Soul Fish Food Truck. Team members also participated in a department decorating contest with a “Be the Light” theme.
Thursday put the spotlight on team members with a day of celebrating achievements as colleagues walked the Baptist Blue carpet. Friday included special treats from Mempops and the opportunity for team members to thank their teammates with a handwritten note that would be delivered by leadership.
Baptist Corporate
Baptist Corporate office hosted a week of “Wild West” activities, starting with Sunrise on the Prairie breakfast from Chick-fil-A and a visit from the Waggin’ Wagon — Mid South Therapy Dogs. Tuesday’s fun included a Critter Stampede where team members petted barnyard animals. On Wednesday, the Wild West Walkabout featured a spirited parade of team members wearing Western gear. The Gold Rush Snack included a chuckwagon of goodies served in the afternoon.
On Thursday, team members had the opportunity to take part in the Mammogram Meetup for mobile mammography screenings, as well as Health Horizons on the Range, a frontier fair with wellness resources, screenings and health tips. Hospital Week activities concluded with the Homestead Hoedown on Friday, featuring a barbecue lunch, baked treats and games.
“The Punch List Pros,” including Real Estate Director David Barton, Chief Facilities and Environmental Safety Officer Nick Lewis and System Director of Facilities Operations Keith Thompson, won the Cornhole Corral Throwdown. The fourth floor, with floor captains Administrative Coordinator Totsy Littlejohn and Database Administrator Senior Analyst Bryant Birr, won the Great Frontier Face-off for transforming their floor lobby into a Western town.
Throughout the week, team members kicked off their boots to relax at the Restin’ Ranch, a quiet hideaway on the 5th floor.
Baptist Crittenden
Hospital Week at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden began with a Liberty Pancake Bar, featuring fresh strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, country bacon and sausage. On Tuesday, team members enjoyed a Patriotic Power Lunch, including turkey or ham club sandwiches, chips, beverages, turtle cheesecake and Dubai chocolate cheesecake. The fun continued with a spirited department scavenger hunt that had teams searching their units for hidden puzzle pieces. Medical-surgical claimed bragging rights by finishing first in 28 minutes.
On Wednesday, team members enjoyed the Red, White and BBQ Bash with Operating Room Nurse Manager Steve Earnshaw and Security Manager Charles Beard serving as grill masters. The cafeteria team rounded out the menu with baked beans, coleslaw, strawberry cake and pineapple cake. The celebration also featured a lively cornhole competition with the Environmental Services team claiming victory. Jo Ann Tipton, case manager, took top honors in the Best Dressed contest. Entertainment included “Baptist Apollo” performances with a standout Ray Charles impersonation and a crowd-pleasing performance of “You’re the One That I Want.”
Wednesday also included a heartfelt Baptist Awards ceremony, where departments celebrated employees for their outstanding service, dedication and impact throughout the year. Award categories included Light of the Hospital, Heart of Care, Human Sunshine, Calm in the Storm, Gets It Done and Behind-the-Scenes Hero.
Thursday included a “Work Where Love Abounds” photo experience, an ice cream bar with toppings and blue tote bags filled with snacks and treats. Friday brought a colorful Fiesta of Care and Baptist Blue Day, as team members wore their Hospital Week T-shirts and enjoyed a fiesta bar featuring chicken, ground beef, grilled vegetables, rice, black beans and toppings.
Weekend Light Rounds carried the celebration into Saturday as Baptist leaders visited departments, delivered tote bags filled with treats and captured photos with the incredible Baptist Crittenden team. Team members were surprised with power-pack lunches prepared by the Food and Nutrition team, including chicken and turkey wraps, chips, fruit, dessert and drinks.
Baptist DeSoto
Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto started off Hospital Week with a burrito breakfast, followed by snow cones and a photo booth. The fun continued with hospital leaders popping by to share popcorn with team members. Hospital leaders served loaded barbecue nachos to show appreciation at the annual employee picnic, featuring karaoke and music.
During Hospital Week, Baptist DeSoto was proud to celebrate not only the incredible work team members do inside the hospital, but also the heart they show in the community. Team members helped support the DeSoto County Dream Center by donating food items for the food pantry. The hospital’s worship choir provided inspiring music during the food collection event. Baptist DeSoto also held an online silent auction for gift baskets to help raise funds for DeSoto Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for new cancer patients in DeSoto County.
Baptist Golden Triangle
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle honored its team members all week with food, fellowship and fun activities. Hospital Week kicked off with a cookout with burgers and hotdogs, followed by food trucks and bingo fun with snacks on Tuesday.
Team members enjoyed a breakfast celebration on Wednesday and treats from an ice cream truck on Thursday. On Friday, the hospital hosted an Employee Health Fair with complimentary bloodwork and bone density screenings, as well as blood pressure checks and height, weight and BMI measurements. Team members also visited information tables from Baptist BestHealth, Baptist Bariatric Services, Baptist’s Nutrition department, Baptist Behavioral Health and Mid-South Transplant Foundation.
Baptist Leake
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake hosted “Red, White, & Blue, Our Caring Crew” Hospital Week activities in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Team members enjoyed a fun-filled week featuring a Founding Fathers Breakfast, a Colonial Cookout and an All-American Snack. The celebration also included a Finding Our Spirit Hunt with small flags hidden throughout campus, virtual bingo and a lively work area decorating contest.
AccentCare Home Health treated team members to an ice cream sundae social, and Central Electric Power Association provided energy-saver gift boxes for each team member. Throughout the week, team members showed their spirit by dressing in red, white and blue.
Baptist Memphis
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis team members enjoyed several Hospital Week festivities, including yoga for day and night shifts led by Baptist Memphis Director of Nursing Brittany Crawford and a “Baptist Idol” competition.
“Baptist Idol” judges included Administrative Director of Transplant Services Renee Hatcher as Simon Cowell, Baptist Memphis CNO Cara Beard as Katie Perry and Baptist Memphis CEO and Administrator Sam Lynd as Steven Tyler. Baptist Memphis Director of Nursing Lakesha Flynn served as cohost Diamond Diamond, and System Director of Respiratory Therapy Larry Hopper was cohost Donny Juan. Mario Martin, mechanic contractor with CBRE, won first place in the competition, and Senior Chaplain Laveil Rucker claimed second.
As part of Hospital Week and employee engagement activities, Baptist Memphis celebrated 284 team members with five to 50 years of service on May 14 at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms. The hospital honored Kathy Coleman, unit coordinator in Baptist Ambulatory Center, for her 50 years of service. During her tenure, she has worked in eight departments. Baptist Memphis also honored James Helms, admissions representative, for his 45 years of service. Helms has worked in Patient Registration for all 45 years of his service at Baptist.
Other Hospital Week activities included a cookout for day and night shifts with hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, spaghetti and three salads; food trucks for day, night and weekend shifts; and a Blessing of the Hands ceremony for day and night shifts led by Baptist Memphis chaplains.
Baptist North Mississippi
Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi recognized the dedication, energy and compassion of team members with fun activities all week. The hospital kicked things off with loaded teas, which have added caffeine and vitamins, for a refreshing boost.
The energy kept flowing for “Baptist Idol,” a friendly competition with team members taking the stage to showcase their skills and filling the room with music and laughter. On Friday, team members enjoyed a picnic celebration with catfish and chicken catered by Taylor Grocery, along with a fan-favorite cakewalk.
Baptist Oktibbeha County
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Oktibbeha County hosted Hospital Week activities with the theme “Aloha: Connected by Care.” Monday included a pancake breakfast with servers Mac Flynt, Baptist Oktibbeha County CEO and administrator, and James Grantham, vice president and administrator of Mississippi Operations for Baptist Memorial.
Nacho Day arrived on Tuesday, and team members enjoyed Snow Cone Truck Day on Wednesday and ice cream sundaes on Thursday. The hospital hosted a picnic on Friday.
Hospital Week also included the fun Sonny Awards recognition day with team members winning awards in categories, such as Most Compassionate or Best Team Player.
Baptist Paragould
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Paragould celebrated Hospital Week with a series of team member appreciation events, kicking off on Saturday with a Weekenders Cookout for weekend staff.
Throughout the week, team members enjoyed such activities as Auxiliary Cookie Day, an Employee Cookout, Soda Day and Ice Cream Day. The week concluded with team members proudly wearing their new “Caring is our Calling” T-shirts.
Baptist Tipton
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton honored team members during Hospital Week with fun activities that started with an omelet breakfast served by managers and directors.
The fun continued with Take a Break Self-care Day with Physical Therapist Nathan Sulzner sharing tips on ergonomics. Team members also enjoyed an ice cream sundae bar, games, treats, gifts and a Hospital Celebration Cookout.
Baptist Cancer Center locations in the area celebrated the week with a “Healing Happens Here” video contest and gratitude posters.
Baptist Union City
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City hosted a patriotic Hospital Week, starting off with a Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, followed by the 250 Years of Sweet Freedom celebration with apple cobbler, brownies and ice cream.
Team members also enjoyed the Freedom Fest Lunch with a hot dog bar, chips, drinks and dessert. On Thursday, team members took part in the Patriotic Pastry Party featuring cinnamon rolls and coffee. Festivities wrapped up with the Nacho Average 250th Celebration on Friday with a nacho bar.
Baptist Union County
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County celebrated their “Stars of Health Care” during Hospital Week with a variety of festivities, friendly competitions and food. The week kicked off with a catered meal provided by Taylor’s Grocery and neon attire.
Team members also enjoyed decorated breakrooms, colorful snacks, popcorn, rolled ice cream and the opportunity to wear their favorite jerseys. The hospital hosted a celebration on Thursday in honor of America’s 250th birthday with grilled hotdogs and patriotic attire. Team members also enjoyed coffee and donuts on Friday.
Baptist Women’s Hospital
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women celebrated Hospital Week along with its 25-year anniversary. Team members who have been with the hospital since 2001 received a special pin and letter. On Monday, team members picked up their new “Caring is our Calling” T-shirts and enjoyed breakfast from Chick-fil-A.
Retired team members met for a reunion. Many past team members joined in the fun, including Dr. Larry Johnson, Dr. Thomas Greenwell and Anita Vaughn, the first CEO and administrator of Baptist Women’s Hospital.
On Tuesday, team members enjoyed coffee from Byway Coffee. The night shift had a visit from the Ritzie’s Barbecue Food Truck. On Wednesday, the hospital hosted the Baptist Women’s Hospital Birthday Party with gifts, snow cones, cupcakes and ice cream. Team members took part in the Stretch Lab on Thursday, along with a “sweet treats” traveling cart. The night crew had a cookout, and the hospital wrapped up Hospital Week with a cookout on Friday.
Throughout the week, activities included posters for coloring in all the units, 100 tiny pieces of “cake” hidden throughout the hospital to turn in for prizes, 25 drawings for donated gifts from the community and department guessing jars with prizes for winners.
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center celebrated Hospital Week with a “Winning Together, Every Move Matters” theme. Team members received flashlight keychains upon entry on Monday.
Team members enjoyed complimentary access to all areas of the Baptist Healthplex-Jackson throughout the week and had the opportunity to take advantage of a specialized seminar and personal training specials.
Hospital leaders provided and delivered Chick-fil-A breakfast on Tuesday morning. On Wednesday, team members participated in games, such as Connect 4 and Operation. They also enjoyed a Candyland-themed selfie station, tropical refreshments and candy from the Candyland display.
Burgers Blues Barbecue served pulled pork and hamburgers on Thursday for lunch and dinner, with leaders present to host the event. The week concluded with team members wearing Hospital Week T-shirts and enjoying ice cream treats in the afternoon, graciously provided by the Baptist Volunteer Auxiliary.
NEA Baptist
NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital and NEA Baptist Clinic locations participated in Health System Week. The tropical-themed celebrations kicked off on Monday with ice cream and continued into Tuesday with a traveling fashion show.
On Wednesday, team members took part in a traveling photo booth, followed by a nacho bar on Thursday. Team members enjoyed T-Shirt Day and frozen treats on Friday. Hospital Week wrapped up on Saturday with another fun nacho bar.
