TUPELO, Mississippi—North Mississippi Medical Center recently recognized electrocardiogram (EKG) technician Lynn “Nikki” Hester as Star of the Month.

A coworker nominated Hester for investigating an EKG that did not seem quite right. Hester performed an EKG on a hospital patient, and the machine reported that the patient’s irregular heartbeat was caused by atrial fibrillation. Hester questioned the finding and showed the EKG to cardiac electrophysiologist Karthik Venkatesh Prasad, M.D., who immediately recognized the patient was actually having a heart attack. Because of Hester’s concern, the staff was able to administer emergency treatment.

“This experienced EKG tech went above her job description to do the right thing,” her nomination states. “Her dedication to her job helped the patient get the appropriate care.”

Hester has worked at NMMC for 16 years, joining the staff as a nursing assistant on 3 South before becoming an EKG tech five years ago. She is a graduate of Tupelo High School and attended Itawamba Community College.

NMMC’s Star of the Month is selected by a team of employees. To learn more about a career with North Mississippi Medical Center, visit www.nmhs.net/careers or email recruit@nmhs.net.