AMORY, Mississippi—Debra Kuykendall, a medical technologist at North Mississippi Medical Center Gilmore-Amory, has been selected by her peers as the most recent Employee of the Quarter.

“She helps everyone with a smile and is always happy to answer any question to the best of her ability,” a co-worker wrote in her nomination.

Kuykendall is meticulous in her work, which includes managing the blood bank. “She has all of her work done in a correct and timely fashion,” the coworker wrote.

Her commitment extends beyond patients and lab tests — She also takes care of her coworkers, swapping shifts with people in need and covering for others when need.

Kuykendall, who graduated from Hamilton (Alabama) High School, has been with the Amory hospital for 40 years. She joined the staff immediately after earning a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from the University of Mississippi in 1981. She completed additional training at University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Allied Health in Jackson.

“I love what I do, but the people I work with make my job a joy,” Kuykendall said. “I have worked with most of them for so long, they are more like family than friends or co-workers.”

The kind words of her colleagues in nominating her as Employee of the Quarter were really touching, Kuykendall said.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be so well thought of,” she said.

Kuykendall has three children and two grandchildren. Her husband passed away in 2019. She is a member of Smithville Baptist Church.