Baptist Memorial announces 2026 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2026 – Baptist Memorial Health Care has named Arika Bailey the Advanced Practice Provider of the Year at its fifth annual Advanced Practice Provider Conference on Sept.18.

Bailey is a board-certified nurse practitioner with Baptist Medical Group-Medicine Preoptimization Clinic. Out of 165 nominees from across Baptist Memorial’s 200 clinics and 25 hospitals, Bailey was selected as the best for her exceptional patient care, clinical expertise, leadership and lasting contributions to her clinic.

“It is a privilege to recognize Arika as Baptist Memorial Health Care’s 2026 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year,” said Amanda Comer, chief advanced practice nursing officer for Baptist Medical Group. “She was the first advanced practice provider at the Baptist Medical Group-Medicine Preoptimization Clinic and was instrumental in supporting clinic staff and the growth of the clinic. Arika’s commitment to service and continuous support of advanced practice providers across the Mid-South have helped strengthen the profession and Baptist Memorial Health Care.”

Baptist Memorial presents the APP Award annually during National Advanced Practice Provider Week to advanced practice providers, which includes nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and physician assistants, who demonstrate excellence in promoting positive change in the nursing practice environment. National APP Week is celebrated annually during the fourth week in September. Baptist Memorial recognizes team members at a one-day event designed to educate, inspire and celebrate local APP providers who help ensure patients and communities receive safe, high-quality care.

Baptist Memorial Health Care is one of the country’s largest not-for-profit health care systems and the largest provider of Medicaid in the region. Consistently ranking among the top integrated health care networks in the country, Baptist Memorial comprises 25 affiliate hospitals in West Tennessee, North and Central Mississippi and East Arkansas; a freestanding emergency department; more than 7,000 affiliated physicians; Baptist Medical Group, a multispecialty physician group with more than 1,500 providers in 50 specialties; Baptist Cancer Center; home, hospice and psychiatric care; walk-in and urgent care clinics; a network of surgery, rehabilitation and other outpatient centers; and an education system that includes Baptist Health Sciences University and a college of osteopathic medicine. Baptist Memorial employs more than 24,000 people, and in fiscal year 2024 contributed more than $388 million in community benefit and uncompensated care to the communities it serves. For more information, please visit www.baptistonline.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.com.

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