Nurse Linda Baker Receives National Award for Nursing Excellence
1/7/2022
NATCHEZ, Miss. –January 6, 2022– Linda Baker, a registered nurse at Merit Health Natchez for more than 30 years, has received a national 2021 Nursing Excellence Award.
Baker is one of 10 national winners selected across all hospitals affiliated with Community Health Systems, one of the leading operators of general acute-care hospitals and outpatient care centers in communities across the United States. The organization’s affiliates include Merit Health Natchez and 82 other hospitals in 16 states.
Baker was surprised with the recognition during the awards ceremony held recently with hospital leadership and employees. She was presented with a crystal plaque, a check for the cash award she received and a standing ovation for her well-deserved recognition. Linda’s husband, Jimmy, was also on hand to share in his wife’s accolades and witness the outpouring of love and support Linda has from her co-workers. Tears of joy and admiration flowed as Lee Hinson, chief nursing officer at Merit Health Natchez, read the nomination comments.
“Linda has helped train and mentor hundreds of nurses through her career, and as one of our nurses said, ‘I am the nurse I am today because of Linda’s exemplary clinical skills and her exceptional kindness, patience and willingness to mentor me as a young nurse,’ “said Hinson. “Linda’s passion, love and enthusiasm for nursing is as strong and vibrant today as it was more than 30 years ago when she began her career,” said Hinson. “The pandemic only seemed to strengthen her resolve to provide quality, compassionate care to those who needed her at the worst times of their lives.”
The Nursing Excellence Award was created to honor the critical role nurses have played in treating patients throughout the pandemic. The peer-nominated award program was open to qualifying RNs and LPNs working in a direct patient care position who consistently demonstrate characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence. These characteristics include outstanding care, compassion, service and innovation, and reflect the efforts of someone who is a demonstrated team player and/or mentor to others, is a leader in times of crises, and who regularly promotes health in the community.
Baker joined Merit Health Natchez in 1989 and the majority of her nursing career has been in the Step-down Unit. She continues to be a strong role model for new nurses and has held the positions of nurse preceptor and charge nurse while consistently demonstrating her strong work ethic, skills, knowledge base and compassion.
In addition to receiving the Nursing Excellence Award, Baker received a cash award and a copy of “Shining the Light on All the Right” by Mark and Bonnie Barnes, co-founders of The DAISY Foundation™, an international movement created to recognize and express gratitude for extraordinary nursing.
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The terms "Community Health Systems" or the "organization" used in this press release refer to Community Health Systems Professional Services Corporation, unless otherwise stated.
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