Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Celebrates “Power of Nurses” During National Nurses Week

5/7/2026

POPLAR BLUFF, MO, May 7, 2026 – At Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center (PBRMC), nurses are often the first face a patient sees and the steady presence throughout their care journey. From the emergency room to inpatient units and specialty clinics, their impact is felt in every interaction, every day.

To kick off National Nurses Week, the City of Poplar Bluff presented a proclamation to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center (PBRMC), officially recognizing May 6–12 as National Nurses Week and honoring the contributions of nurses across the community. This year also marked a milestone for shared governance at PBRMC, as the Nurse Practice Council and Unit-Based Councils, established to help drive improvement and meaningful change, developed peer-nominated awards to recognize excellence among nurses and patient care technicians during Nurses Week.

“Nurses are the heart of patient care,” said Carla Rider, DNP, chief nursing officer at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. “They combine clinical knowledge with compassion in a way that shapes every patient experience. I see their dedication every day, in the small moments and the critical ones, and I am incredibly proud of the care they provide to our community.”

Honorees recognized this year include:

• Clinical Nurse of the Year – Summer Crider, R.N.
• Clinic Nurse of the Year – Bethany Wagoner, R.N.
• Patient Care Technician of the Year – Jamie Charlton, PCT
• Quality Nurse of the Year – Alexis Herrera, R.N.
• Small Unit, Big Impact – House Supervisors and Dialysis Team
• Educator of the Year – Jeremy Meadors, BSN, R.N.
• Novice Nurse of the Year – Tosha Kimbrel, R.N.
• TRC Preceptor of the Year – Hailey Dunivan, R.N.
• Linet Nursing Conference Grant Recipient – Summer Crider, R.N.

More than 4.1 million registered nurses help save lives and protect the health of people across the country. AtPBRMC, more than 400 nurses serve as an integral part of keeping Poplar Bluff and surrounding communities healthy, providing care across the hospital, specialty clinics, and emergency department.

National Nurses Week recognizes the many ways nurses make a difference in healthcare. Sponsored by the American Nurses Association, the week coincides with National Nurses Day on May 6 and the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. This year’s theme, “Power of Nurses,” highlights the essential role nurses play and the unique ability they have to heal, connect, and lead in every setting.

For many nurses, the work is deeply personal.

“A lot of what we do goes beyond medical care,” said Liz Hager, R.N., a nurse with PBRMC. “It’s about being there for patients and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. Whether it’s offering reassurance, explaining what comes next, or simply sitting with someone who needs support, those moments matter just as much as the clinical care.”

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