Baptist kicked off National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week, celebrated annually during the fourth week of September, with the presentation of Advanced Practice Provider Excellence Awards on Friday, Sept. 22. Ashley House, a clinical nurse specialist at NEA Baptist Clinic-Internal Medicine, won Clinic APP of the Year, and Brittnie Weatherford Bird, a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City, earned Hospital APP of the Year.
“Baptist would not be able to provide high-quality care if it weren’t for our dedicated team members who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve patients,” said Amanda Comer, system director, advanced practice providers. “We’re pleased to recognize Ashley and Brittnie for their outstanding contributions to patient care and Baptist on a daily basis.”
Ashley is trained in advanced physiology, pharmacology and physical assessment. During her 15 years with Baptist, her work has included diagnosis and treatment of acute chronic illness in adults with emphasis on specialist care for patients or populations at risk. She helped form the NEA Baptist APP council where she mentors new APPs and has formed a successful onboarding process that she presented at national and regional APP meetings.
Brittnie has played a vital role in successful surgeries and management of complex patients. She has been with Baptist for six years. Her commitment to going above and beyond in her work was evident after a recent tornado when she assisted with wound cleaning and closure at Baptist Union City. Through her expertise and caring spirit, patients were able to receive quality care close to home.
The Advanced Practice Provider Excellence Awards are presented annually to APPs who demonstrate excellence in collaboration and have made noteworthy contributions to high-quality patient care, furthering Baptist’s mission of healing, preaching and teaching. To be eligible, team members must be a nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist or physician assistant.
