TUPELO, Mississippi—North Mississippi Medical Center recently recognized Beatrice Smith, a transport specialist with Ambulance Services, with the most recent BEE (Beyond Exceptional Expectations) Award.

Smith was nominated by a nurse for her care while transporting a patient. “She was talking to her like a family member,” the nurse wrote, noting Smith’s patience while the patient slowly transferred to a wheelchair.

The patient wanted to put on her hair bonnet but could not find it. Smith provided one and helped her put it on, as well as her earrings she had to remove for the test.  “She never seemed rushed to go,” the nurse wrote. “She was always smiling and trying to make the patient smile. You can tell she loves her job.”

Smith, who lives in Guntown, is a 1981 graduate of Saltillo High School and worked for several years in Connecticut with a residential program for handicapped individuals. From 2003-2017, she worked in guest services for St. Dominic Memorial Hospital in Jackson. She joined the NMMC staff in June 2017 as a Behavioral Health Center technician and transferred to Ambulance Services in December 2020.

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.