Tracy Bland, L.P.N., left, receives Williamson Medical Center’s 2011 Nursing Excellence Award from chief nursing officer Lori Orme, R.N., M.S.H.A., F.A.C.H.E.

Brentwood Home Page news reports
Tracy Bland, L.P.N., was honored recently with Williamson Medical Center’s 2011 Nursing Excellence Award.

Bland, a 22-year employee who works as a float pool nurse, was given the award based on the criteria of compassion, integrity, trustworthiness, teamwork and knowledge of nursing.

She began her career at Williamson Medical Center as a phlebotomist in the Laboratory before transferring to the Critical Care Unit to work nights as a monitor technician. That schedule helped her graduate in 2004 as a licensed practical nurse.

“I worked with so many great nurses and learned so much from them while I was earning my degree,” Bland says. “Those nurses were an inspiration to me back then, and I still work with an inspirational group of nurses at WMC. I certainly am honored to receive this award, especially among so many other deserving nurses.”

As a float pool nurse, Bland is known by her co-workers as a hard worker with strong clinical skills that allow her to work with confidence in all clinical areas as needed.

 “Tracy exemplifies professionalism and a positive attitude regardless of where she is assigned in the Medical Center,” says Ashley Perkins, R.N., WMC associate administrator for nursing. “She never hesitates to support her co-workers when the work flow is challenging and can be counted on to help deliver the quality care our patients need and deserve.”

Williamson Medical Center, a 185-bed hospital, provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care including emergency services. The hospital offers a wide range of wellness services, screenings and classes. For information, visit http://www.williamsonmedicalcenter.org/.

WMC's Nursing Excellence Awards, from left: Ashley Perkins, R.N., associate administrator for nursing; Tracy Bland, L.P.N., 2011 Nursing Excellence Award recipient and float pool nurse; Lori Orme, R.N., M.S.H.A., F.A.C.H.E., chief nursing officer; and Kamia Davis-Rolle, L.P.N., Sixth Floor nurse and first runner-up.

Other nominees for the award included:

Dawn Allen, C.R.T., (Respiratory Therapy)

Karlita Calderon, R.N., B.S.N., (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)

Ginny Cheshire, R.N., B.S.N., (Chest Pain Center)

Susan Cragar, R.N., B.S.N., (Surgery)

Kamia Davis-Rolle, L.P.N., (Sixth Floor)

Melissa Dodson, R.N., (Catheterization Laboratory)

Sharon Flowers, R.N., (Day Surgery)

Lisa Harger, R.N., (Critical Care Unit)

Toni Hendrix, R.N., B.S.N., (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit)

Jennifer Hughes, R.N., B.S.N.

Patricia Nelson, R.N., (Obstetrics)

Sericea Parker, R.N., (Oncology)

Jean Pewitt, L.P.N., (Fifth Floor)

Charles Rizzo, R.N., (Joint and Spine Center)

Ricky Smithson, R.N., (Emergency Department)

Vicki Sweeney, R.N., (Infection Prevention)