Word, Smathers Honored as NMMC Stars of the Month

TUPELO, Mississippi—North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo recently named registered nurses Julie Word of Wren and Haley Smathers of Aberdeen, both care managers with Home Health, as Stars of the Month.

This duo went above and beyond the call by responding to the needs of coworkers living in the Wren community when a tornado severely impacted the area. When they heard about damage inflicted by the storm, Word and Smothers drove to the site with first aid supplies on a mission to assist neighbors and friends who had been injured in the storm.

“What I love most about being a nurse is the opportunity to serve people," Smathers shares. "In tough times, a simple act of kindness, words of encouragement or positive presence can make an impactful difference, and I hope I get to be that for people.”

"The best part of my job is making a difference in a patient’s life by educating them on their disease, wounds, IV etc. and being able to recognize when they need another level of care and initiating that.” Word says. “What I love most about my job is being able to be out in the community and not confined to a building. Helping patients where they are is not for everyone, but I love it."