The Mississippi Nurses Association and the Mississippi Nurses Foundation hosted its seventh annual Nightingale Awards Black-tie gala for nearly 700 nurses and friends of nursing on March 5, 2012 at the Marriott Hotel in Jackson, MS.  This black-tie event highlighted the achievements of outstanding nurses in our state who contributes significantly to the health care of our citizens and to those who supports the work of nursing in a vital way. We received 103 nominations for awards in 17 categories, with two inductions into the Mississippi Nurses Association Hall of Fame.

The 2012 Nightingale Awards Recipents:

Nurse of the Year:
Heather Bowen, North Mississippi Medical Center

Advance Practice Nurse of the Year:
Kristi Herderson, University of Mississippi Health Care

Clincal Practice Nurse of the Year:
Kourtland Adams, University of Mississippi Health Care

Community Servcie of the Year:
Heather Sistrunk, Baptist Health System

Nurse Faculty Member of the Year:
Janet Cooper, University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing

Hospital of the Year (less 100 beds):
Madison River Oaks Medical Center

Hospital of the Year (100 beds or more):
University of Mississippi Health Care

Nurse Administrator of the Year:
Linda Wymbs, River Region Health System

Nurse Educator of the Year:
Bobbi Jo Ford, Baptist Health System

Nurse in a Non-Traditional Setting of the Year:
Sue Smith, Stennis Space Center

Nurse Manager of the Year:
Jennifer Stephen, Batson Hospital for Children

Nurse Mentor of the Year:
Patrica Waltman, University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing

Nurse Researcher of the Year:
Karen WInters, University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing

Nurse Rookie of the Year:
Tierria McGlothin, University of Mississippi Health Care

Nurse Employer of the Year:
Deaconess Home Care

School of Nursing of the Year:
University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing

School of Nursing Administrator of the Year:
Betsy Mann, East Central Community College

2012 Hall of Fame Inductees:

Virginia Lee Cora, Professor Emeritus, University of MS Medical Center School of Nursing
Marcia Rachel, Associate Professor, University of MS Medical Center School of Nursing

A special thank you to all of the 2012 Nightingale Awards Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors:
The Clarion Ledger
Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation
North Mississippi Medical Center

Gold Sponsors:
George Bell Rug Cleaning

Silver Sponsors:
Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc.
Baptist Health Systems
Baptist Medical Center-Leake
Deaconess Home Care
East Central Community College
Gayle Harrell, LLC
Holmes Community College
Hurst Review Services
Madison River Oaks Medical Center
Magnolia Regional Health Center
Mississippi College
Mississippi Nurses Association District 13 (Serving Hinds, Madison and Yazoo Counties) 
Mississippi Office of Nursing Workforce
River Region Health System
St. Dominic Hospital
University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing