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2008 Mississippi Nightingale Winners

A record turnout – more than 600 – attended the fourth annual Mississippi Nurses Association’s and Foundation’s 2008 Nightingale Awards Gala on Feb. 4, in the Marriott Hotel Downtown, Jackson. The annual Nightingale Awards is the “academy award” honoring exceptional service in the nursing and healthcare industry across Mississippi.

“The Nightingale Awards distinguish those men, women and organizations that have made a special effort to excel in the area of healthcare,” said Ricki Garrett, executive director of the Mississippi Nurses Association, co-host of the event. “This year more than 70 nurses, nurse educators, administrators and healthcare facilities were nominated for statewide honors.”

Winners for 2008 include:

• Jennifer Brooke Edwards, University of Mississippi Health Care - Nurse Rookie of the Year;
• Paula Brown, North Mississippi Medical Center - Nurse Mentor of the Year;
• Tonya Moore, University of Mississippi Medical Center - Nurse in Non-Traditional Setting of the Year;
• Sanjosa Martin, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center - Nurse Researcher of the Year;
• Judy Baker, Jones County Junior College and Rebecca Tustain, Hinds Community College - Nursing Educators of the Year;
• Kaye Bender, University of Mississippi Medical Center - School of Nursing Administrator of the Year;
• Northeast Mississippi Community College- School of Nursing of the Year;
• Karen George, North Mississippi Medical Center - Nursing Administrator of the Year;
• Deaconess HomeCare - Nurse Employer of the Year;
• Baptist Memorial Hospital, Union County - Hospital of the Year (Less than 100 Beds);
• University of Mississippi Health Care - Hospital of the Year (100 Beds or More);
• Leigh-Anne Scroggins, North Mississippi Medical Center - Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year;
• Lisa Marie Byrd, Byrd Healthcare, LLC and the Bolton Family Clinic - Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year;
• Debrynda Davey University of Mississippi Medical Center - Community Service Nurse of the Year; and,
• Pamela Gail Hodges, North Mississippi Medical Center - Nurse of the Year.
• Inductees into the Mississippi Nurses Association Hall of Fame for 2008 are Mary Pat Curtis of Columbus, Mary Sprayberry of Nettleton and Mary E. Stainton of Hattiesburg.