Baptist nurse honored by the Tennessee Nurses Association

MEMPHIS, Tenn., - Advanced practice nurse Diana Baker, EdD, was recently named the recipient of the 2015 TNA Outstanding Member Award by the Tennessee Nurses Association Board of Directors.

The award recognizes a TNA member whose contributions most closely reflect the mission and goals of TNA and the nursing profession.

Dr. Baker, whose career with Baptist spans 45 years, is the coordinator for nursing research at Baptist and is working with several departments within Baptist to develop an online application for graduate-level nurses seeking instructors in the Baptist system.

"Diana has made a significant impact on the students, nurses, physicians, colleagues, and patients she has touched throughout her career at Baptist," said Susan Ferguson, vice president and chief nursing officer at Baptist. "The honor from TNA confirms what most of us who have worked with Diana already know; she's a treasure, a passionate advocate for the nursing profession, and a lifelong learner."

The awards presentation took place during the TNA Awards Gala on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Franklin, Tenn. TNA works for professional nurses to ensure that consumers receive quality, cost-effective health care and that nursing continues to speak with one strong voice.

One of the largest not-for-profit health care systems in the United States, Baptist Memorial Health Care offers a full continuum of care to communities throughout the Mid-South. The Baptist system, which consistently ranks among the top integrated health care networks in the nation, comprises 14 affiliate hospitals in West Tennessee, North Mississippi and East Arkansas; more than 4,000 affiliated physicians; a multispecialty physician group; home, hospice and psychiatric care; minor medical centers and clinics; a network of surgery, rehabilitation and other outpatient centers; and an education system highlighted by the Baptist College of Health Sciences. Baptist has more than 2,300 licensed beds system wide, employs more than 13,000 people and has approximately 85,000 admissions annually. For more information about Baptist, please visit www.baptistonline.org or call 800-4-BAPTIST.