Memphis, Tenn., May 7, 2002 - In recognition of Nurses Week, Baptist Memorial Health Care honored 75 of its nurses for their excellence and commitment to quality patient care at a luncheon at the Memphis Marriott, 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd., on May 7 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The nurses to be honored at the luncheon were selected for the superior care they provide and their commitment to enhancing their profession in three areas: education, practice and leadership. The top three nurses in each of these categories were Betty Cecil, Donna Martin and Jimmy Drumwright. Baptist also honored physicians who have partnered with and supported nurses.

The luncheon is the highlight of a weeklong celebration to show appreciation for nurses and their contribution to hospitals. Baptist Memorial Hospitals in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee will also host other activities to honor nurses during the week.

"National Nurses Week is a great opportunity for us to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of nurses," said Nancy Nowak, vice president and chief nursing executive at Baptist. "Their contributions are vital to the daily operation and success of all our hospitals. It's a privilege to show our personal gratitude and pay tribute to these valuable members of the health care field."

During the luncheon, Humana, a national health insurance and related-specialty provider, awarded three nursing scholarships to students at the Baptist College of Health Sciences as part of a patient safety and quality partnership launched with Baptist last year. Through the project, Humana monitors certain safety and quality goals already established at the hospital. These goals will be reviewed annually by Humana over three years. As the program's safety and quality goals are accomplished yearly, Humana will recognize Baptist by continuing to fund those nursing scholarships at the Baptist College of Health Sciences. The first year's goals will be reviewed in October.

Thirty-one of Baptist's nurses from Fayette and Shelby County were among the top 100 recognized in the City Wide Celebrate Nursing Gala in Memphis, Tenn.

For more information about "Best Nurses at Baptist" or Nurses Week, call 1-800-4Baptist.

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