Forrest General Hospital Honors Nurses of the Year

Executive Director of Nursing Services, Heather Keys, MSN, RN, presenting Registered Nurse of the Year award to Hannah Williams, RN

HATTIESBURG, MS (May 7, 2026) – Nurses at Forrest General Hospital celebrated Nurses Week, May 4-8, with the theme, “There’s No Place Like Forrest Health.” The hospital honored its outstanding nurses during this week with celebrations including the announcement of Registered Nurse of the Year, Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year, Nurse Leader of the Year, and Tech of the Year.

Nurses were recognized during a luncheon in the Cafeteria Meeting Rooms on Thursday, May 7. “Nurses Week is a special time to recognize the incredible impact our nurses have on patients, families, and our community,” said Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, Kim Reddish, RN, MSN, CENP, CCRN (alum). “At Forrest Health, there’s no place like home because of our nurses, who bring heart, courage, and wisdom to everything they do. 

“Their compassion, clinical expertise, and commitment create an environment where both patients and caregivers thrive. We are proud to see continued growth in our nursing teams, with more students, more preceptors, and strong leaders shaping the next generation. Their dedication ensures we are not only meeting today’s needs, but building toward a strong future for healthcare in our community.”

The announcement of the nursing awards is always a special time during Nurses Week, as these men and women are often known as the heart of healthcare. This year’s winners include:

Registered Nurse of the Year: Hannah Williams, RN, (Endoscopy)

Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year: Catrina Reid, LPN, (Outpatient Wound Clinic)

Nurse Leader of the Year: Brianna Dixon, RN, (5T Patient Care Manager) 

Rookie of the Year: Emily Short, LPN, (Rehab) 

Nurse Preceptor of the Year: Sadie Sullivan, RN, (Premium Pool)

Nursing Student of the Year: Cesar Cabrera, (Nurse Student Tech Program)

Team of the Year: Rapid Response/Vascular Access Team

Tech of the Year: Meghan Bullard, (ICU)

Other activities during the week included: a breakfast, a vendor market, special treats like popcorn and dirty sodas, and nurse recognitions.

For more information on how to become a nurse at Forrest General, visit joinforresthealth.org