Presenting Adriana Melendez (second from left) with NMMC’s BEE Award are (left) Donna Pritchard, chief nursing executive; Kristen Long, senior director of nursing; and David Wilson, president.

TUPELO, Miss.— Adriana Melendez, nursing assistant and unit coordinator on 3 West, recently received North Mississippi Medical Center’s BEE (Beyond Exceptional Expectations) Award.

Melendez was nominated by a coworker for her care of a homeless patient in need. “Adriana noticed you could see the bottom of her feet through the soles of her shoes,” the coworker wrote. That night on her break, Melendez went home and brought back a pair of shoes and some clothing items for the patient, who wore the same size. 

“During these unprecedented times in health care, nursing staff have been stretched thin, working with less staff than normal and providing care to very sick patients,” the coworker wrote. “The night when Adriana provided the act of kindness was just like the other busy nights, but that did not stop Adriana. She made a way to be able to go and get the belongings for the patient. She is truly deserving of the award because what she does day in and day out is most definitely ‘Beyond Exceptional Expectations.’”

A Plantersville native, Melendez attended Shannon High School. She joined the NMMC staff in 2014 as a nursing assistant and unit coordinator on 3 West. She transferred to the Center for Digestive Health for around 18 months but returned to her role on 3 West in August 2020. She is a resident of Tupelo and attends Cornerstone Church.

She received a certificate, a BEE Award pin, a bouquet donated by Bishop’s Flower Shop and a cake. The BEE Award is given to a deserving caregiver each month at NMMC. Nomination forms are available throughout NMMC or at www.nmhs.net/bee-award. For more information, call (662) 377-3431 or email BEEAwards@nmhs.net.