CHECKUP. inside. The Mississippi Hospital. Johnson Wins Distinguished Human Resources Award. What connected feels like.

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1 March 8, 2019 Volume 29 Number 5 Wallace Retires...2 Reese Retirement...3 Physician Shadowing...3 Summer Health Academy...4 Teen Volunteers...4 Nutrition Program...4 Safety Battle...5 inside A PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES CHECKUP What connected feels like Johnson Wins Distinguished Human Resources Award The Mississippi Hospital Association Society for Human Resources Administration recently presented Brenda Johnson, director of human resources for North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point, with its Distinguished Service Award. The award is given each year to a society member in recognition of outstanding contributions to heath care human resources in Mississippi. Tim Moore, MHA chief executive officer, presented Johnson with the award during the MHA Human Resource Society Spring Conference during February. Brenda has been an icon in the Society of Human Resources Administration. She has exemplified leadership and character in not only her facility, but also in the society and industry as a whole, Moore said. Personally working with Brenda for several years made the privilege of presenting this Distinguished Service Award a very special honor to me. Johnson has been with the West Point hospital for 34 years. She holds a bachelor s degree in business from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus and an MBA from Mississippi State University in Starkville. She attained her Professional in Human Resources certification in Currently, she serves as president of the Mississippi Hospital Association Human Resource Society as well as serving on the board of directors for the Golden Triangle Human Resource Society. She is also active with United Way of Clay County (which she serves as a board member), Take a Swing at Cancer and Make a Wish Foundation.

2 Wallace Retires from Wellness Center Sallye Wallace, one of the original employees of the North Mississippi Medical Center Wellness Center in Tupelo, has retired after almost 30 years of service. A 1972 graduate of Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Wallace earned an associate degree in secretarial science from Itawamba Community College in She studied photojournalism at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg before working as a flight attendant for Southern Airways in Memphis. She also worked briefly for ICC and a few area industries before joining NMMC the first time. In 1987, I was hired as a secretary for Optifast, a weight loss program that was affiliated with NMMC, Wallace said. After about a year-and-a-half, I left for another job, but my former boss at NMMC called to see if I was interested in coming back to work for the new Wellness Center that was being built. In June 1989, she was rehired at NMMC and worked as part of a skeleton crew in a small building on President Street to launch the new facility. We were doing assessments with blood pressure cuffs, two bicycles, and scales for height and weight, plus the paperwork, Wallace said. We wanted to get 1,100 members before we opened. We did it. On September 16, 1989, the Wellness Center opened with Wallace as a member services representative. It s funny how little equipment we had back then, she said, nothing compared to what is on the fitness floor now. Current and former coworkers honored Sallye Wallace (center) with a retirement reception Feb. 28 after almost 30 years of service at the NMMC Wellness Center. Over the years she enjoyed teaching yoga and the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program, as well as participating in community events with Wellness Center staff and getting to know many of the members. I have made a lot of friends here and a lot of memories, but I am looking forward to the next stage of my life, she said. Wallace will soon be moving to Gulf Breeze, Fla., to be close to her daughter, Katie Smith, and three grandchildren Braden, 18; Bella, 12; and Lexie, 3. She plans to start a blog and write a book, and she has big crafting plans. I like to make things. I look at a piece of wood and automatically see what I want to paint on it, she said. I love Ole Miss stuff I put Ole Miss on anything I can. In addition to painting, she also enjoys flower arranging, photography and making jewelry. She hopes to sell her variety of wares in local craft shows, but retirement won t all be about work. I m looking forward to relaxing on the beach, she adds. March 8, 2019 Page 2

3 Reese Retires After 44-Year Career Laboratory assistant Debra Reese has retired after 44 years with North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point. A 1974 graduate of West Point High School, Reese completed ward clerk training at East Mississippi Community College in Mayhew. She joined the staff of Ivy Memorial Hospital the forerunner to NMMC-West Point as a ward clerk on Feb. 26, She transferred to the Laboratory in 1981 and was certified as a phlebotomist in Because of the Laboratory s location inside the hospital, Reese came into contact with many patients and visitors, even if they weren t coming to the Laboratory. I m a people person and I love helping people, she said. If I saw them looking both directions, I d always ask if I could help them find their way. In the early years, ward clerks filled in to register patients in the Emergency Department. At least once, this task worked in Reese s favor. One Sunday when I was working back in 1975, my coworker looked up and said, You might want to get this one, so I did, Reese said. That s how I met my husband, Jerry. He had hurt his arm at work and came to the ER, and I registered him. After she called his home to check on him, they started dating and have been married since Reese was honored as Employee of the Quarter in She was also named an NMMC All Star twice, in 2004 and She maintained perfect attendance at work for several years as well. North Mississippi Medical Center is accepting applicants for its Physician Shadowing Program for pre-med students who have completed their junior year in college and aspire to a career in medicine. Students will spend part of their summer doing rotations with physicians in various specialties, said Rosalyn Campbell, NMMC recruitment specialist. The experience is designed to better prepare the students to enter medical school. Two sessions are available: June and July Each student receives hourly compensation, a lab coat and support materials. The Health Care Foundation of Coworkers celebrated laboratory assistant Debra Reese, pictured here with husband Jerry, during a retirement party in her honor Feb. 21 at NMMC-West Point. Reese intended to work a few more years but said a life-changing car accident on Aug. 3, 2018, forced her to retire earlier than planned. For several months after the accident she was on the receiving end of health care, including back surgery in November and physical therapy through January. Since retiring, Reese has certainly missed her coworkers. This place is like family, she said. We re here more than we are at home. The Reeses have a son, Jerry Derrell Reese of Okolona, a daughter Temeka Danyale Reese of West Point, and six grandchildren. She also enjoys working puzzles, knitting and sewing. The Reeses attend Baptist Grove M.B. Church in Prairie. NMMC to Host Physician Shadowing Program North Mississippi funds the program through the Dr. P.K. Thomas Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund. The mentoring program helps students understand what physicians do and why, and can help guide students toward a particular specialty. The program also shows the students local practice opportunities. Our physicians are tremendously supportive of this mentoring program, Campbell said. They generously give their time to help these young people. Interested students should apply before April 12 at For more information, rcampbel@nmhs.net or call (662) or THE DESK ( ). March 8, 2019 Page 3

4 Summer Health Academy Set North Mississippi Medical Center will sponsor its annual Summer Health Academy from 8 a.m.- noon June 3-7 at HealthWorks!. Students who are interested in pursuing a health career and have completed the seventh or eighth grade are eligible. Participation is limited to 30 students who will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, community service and desire to enter a health profession. Students must also submit two teacher reference forms. Application deadline is April 1. NMMC s Summer Health Academy will introduce students to various careers in health care while reinforcing positive lifestyle choices. Participants will spend four hours each day with nurses and other health care professionals who are eager to share their expertise and enthusiasm. Because enrollment is limited, students will be able to interact one-on-one with nurses, physicians, radiologic technologists, physical therapists and other health care staff. The fee for Summer Health Academy is $50 and includes educational materials and snacks. Applications are available at area schools or by calling (662) or THE DESK ( ). Applications can also be downloaded from careers/youth-education. Students who are selected to participate will be notified by April 30. Teen Volunteers Needed for Summer Program The Volunteer Services Department of North Mississippi Medical Center is seeking applications for its student volunteer program. This program is designed for students who may be interested in pursuing a career in health care or who simply would like to make a difference in someone s life. Eligible students must be 15 by June 1, Two sessions will be offered this summer: May 27-June 21 (orientation on May 23) and July 1-26 (orientation on June 26). Volunteer opportunities abound in many areas of NMMC, including nursing, rehabilitation services (physical, occupational and speech-language therapy), infusion services, short stay surgery and clerical areas. Baldwyn Nursing Facility and Pontotoc Wellness Center are also volunteer sites. The hospital s summer volunteer program allows students to make a difference through their service to this community, said Rhonda Weaver, NMMC Volunteer Services manager. Applications are available at area school guidance offices, from the NMMC Volunteer Services Department or online at Students are also required to submit a cumulative grade report with their application. Application deadline is March 15.Finalists will be interviewed and notified of selection. Students selected for the program will be assigned specific work hours and expected to keep their schedule with the exception of illness or vacation. For more information about the student volunteer program, call (662) or THE DESK ( ). National Nutrition Month Food Demo Offered North Mississippi Medical Center will offer food demonstrations in celebration of National Nutrition Month during March. Registered dietitian Emily Littlejohn will present the first session at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, and the second at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28. Both sessions will be held in the classroom at the NMMC Wellness Center, 1030 S. Madison. The classes are free to North Mississippi Health Services health plan members, $10 for the public and $5 for individuals age 60 and older. To register, call (662) by the day before class. Food Demo March 8, 2019 Page 4

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