TUPELO, Mississippi—Fourteen registered nurses have been nominated by their peers for North Mississippi Medical Center’s RN Excellence Award.

NMMC presents Excellence in Nursing awards in several categories and will honor each winner on their unit during National Nurses Week, May 6-12.

Angelia Brown has worked at Okolona Medical Clinic since 1993 after a brief stint on NMMC’s Pediatrics unit. A 1985 graduate of Pontotoc High School, she earned a degree in secretarial technology from Itawamba Community College in 1987 before completing her associate degree in nursing at ICC in 1993. Brown was named North Mississippi Medical Clinics’ Employee of the Month in November 2017 and has been recognized in Stars Online. She is certified in TB skin testing and is a member of Mississippi Nurses Association. She and her husband, Greg, have a daughter, Alex, and attend West Heights Baptist Church.

Brittany Gregory joined North Mississippi Health Services in 2014 as a certified licensed practical nurse at Neurology Consultants. In 2017, she transferred to 4 Central, where she now serves as a charge nurse. A graduate of South Pontotoc Attendance Center, she earned her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Mississippi University for Women in 2017 and 2019, respectively. She completed her master’s degree in nursing leadership and administration at the University of North Alabama in 2021. Gregory is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, TB skin testing, chemotherapy and apheresis, and is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society.

Mairanda Hill serves as a charge nurse on 6 South, where she has worked since 2016. A 2012 graduate of Ripley High School, she earned an associate degree in nursing from Northeast Mississippi Community College in 2015. She is certified in Advanced Stroke Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and TB skin testing. She is the daughter of Jason and Carie Hill. 

Marsha Hughes joined the NMMC staff in 2014 on 4 South. She graduated from Hackleburg High School in 2000 and earned her associate degree in nursing from Northwest Shoals Community College. Hughes is certified in chemotherapy. She has a son, Kingston.

Amanda Dawn Lynch is a charge nurse on the Mother-Baby Unit at Women’s Hospital. Before assuming her current role, she worked as a nursing assistant at the main hospital and as a registered nurse on the Postpartum Unit. A 1994 graduate of Red Bay High School in Alabama, she earned her associate degree in nursing from ICC in 2005 and is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation Program. She participates in NMMC’s ADVANCE program, has been honored in Stars Online and nominated for NMMC’s DAISY Award. She and her husband, Anthony, have two sons, Hunter and Kyler, and are members of New Bethel Baptist Church.

Marion McCulloch joined NMMC in 2010 and works on 3 South. She previously worked at NMMC-Eupora, where she was a staff nurse and charge nurse, and has also worked in outpatient and telemedicine services. A 1976 graduate of Ackerman High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1980. She has held Wound, Ostomy and Continence nursing certification since 1992, when she completed Emory University’s Enterostomal Therapy course. She and her husband, Mike, have two children—Michael McCulloch and Jamie Glenn. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Baldwyn; Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse Society; and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jennifer Merrell, a charge nurse on 3 West, joined NMMC in 1994. She previously worked on 6 South and the Pulmonary Stepdown Unit. A 1990 graduate of Saltillo High School, she earned her associate degree in nursing from NEMCC. Merrell is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, TB skin testing and moderate sedation. She and her husband, Terry, have a son, Kade (Cheyenne) Merrell, and a daughter, Shelby (Marcus) Gray. She is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and Gumtree Presbyterian Church.

Margaret Murphey joined the NMMC staff in 1994 and works on 4 Central. She is a 1977 graduate of Tupelo High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Mississippi State University in 1982. She earned an associate degree in nursing from ICC in 1995 and is certified in chemotherapy. She has four dogs—Flutter, Madi, Bojangles and Jay—and is a member of First Presbyterian Church.

Nicole Parrott of 2 West joined NMMC in 2020. A 2008 graduate of New Site High School in 2008, she earned an associate degree in respiratory care in 2016 from NEMCC and is a registered respiratory therapist. Parrott completed her associate degree in nursing from NEMCC in 2020. She is a DAISY Award nominee and a member of Booneville Church of Christ. She and her husband, Joey, have three children—Aiden, Kiyrie and Ainsley.

Linda Ruth joined NMMC in 2011 and worked as a certified nursing assistant at NMMC-Pontotoc Nursing Home for nine years before becoming a nurse on 4 Central. She graduated from Theodore High School in Alabama in 2006 and earned her associate degree in nursing from ICC in 2020. Ruth is certified in chemotherapy. She and her husband, Robert, have four children—Sasha, Landon, Sam and Gabe.

Pam Stein of Pre-Admission Testing joined NMMC in 2004. A 1985 graduate of Tupelo High School, she earned her associate degree in nursing from NEMCC and previously worked as a pre-op nurse for Tupelo Anesthesia Group. She and her husband, Blake, have two children, Drew (Ashley) and Zack (Jessica), and three grandchildren—Blakely, Evelyn and Jeremy. She attends The Orchard and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking, gardening and working in her flowers.

Marlana Washington works in Outpatient Infusion Services. She joined NMMC in 2006 and previously worked as an LPN and RN on 6 South, and in Home Health. A 2000 graduate of Houston High School, she completed her licensed practical nurse training at ICC in 2005 and earned her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from MUW in 2008 and 2016, respectively.  She and her husband, Desmond, live in Guntown and have three children, Jala, Aubri and London. She attends Bethlehem M.B. Church.

Diana Weaver joined the 4 Central staff in 2017. She graduated from Nettleton High School in 2013 and earned her associate degree in nursing in 2016. She has been recognized in Stars Online and nominated for NMMC’s DAISY Award. Weaver is certified in chemotherapy and attends Victory Baptist Church in Nettleton. She and her husband, Tristin, have a son, John Paul.

Larrah Wilbanks is a charge nurse who joined the NMMC staff in 2018. A 2015 graduate of Saltillo High School, she earned her associate degree in nursing from ICC in 2018 and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from MUW in 2020. Wilbanks is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, moderate sedation, Basic Life Support and TB skin testing. She lives in Pontotoc and attends Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo. She is the daughter of Christy Wilbanks.

For more information about joining the NMMC team, visit www.nmhs.net/careers or email recruit@nmhs.net.