Medicine Unit Charge Nurse Scott Honored with Nurse Excellence Award

Medicine Unit Charge Nurse Scott has received North Oaks Health System's Nurse Excellence Award for November 2022.

Scott joined the North Oaks team 16 years ago as a Medicine Unit Staff Registered Nurse (RN). Besides a four-year stint as a Flex-Ability Nurse and an 18-month hiatus from the hospital, Scott has served as a Charge Nurse on the night shift for the Medicine Unit the majority of his career.

“I enjoy working on the Medicine Unit because we have a great team and it is where new nurses generally start,” he adds. “I enjoy teaching them, helping them build their confidence and begin functioning independently." 

A patient recently complimented Scott’s kindness.

“The patient casually mentioned to Scott how thirsty she had been upon wakening in the middle of the night,” explains Clinical Nurse Manager Kaitlin Latino. “When it happened the next time, she noticed a cup of ice water on her bedside table with a ‘just for you’ note from Scott next to it. The patient was so touched by Scott remembering this small detail. This is one example among many of his authenticity and compassion.”

“If someone has a need, I feel like it’s my duty to try to fill that need the best way I can,” explains Scott.

Scott attended Southeastern Louisiana University and ultimately graduated from Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit with an associate degree in Nursing.

“When I was born, I had cerebral palsy and spent a lot of time in hospitals growing up,” Scott shares. “I always had a medical career in the back of my mind as something I may be interested in pursuing. I finally did and love it!”

Originally from Hammond, Scott commutes to North Oaks from Liberty, Mississippi, where he lives with his wife Melissa and 13-year-old son Lane. The family belongs to Thompson Baptist Church in Liberty, where Scott has been deeply involved in a recently completed 9-year project to rebuild the church sanctuary, parsonage and youth building.

An outdoorsman, Scott enjoys deer hunting and fishing as pastimes.

“Scott is known for his extraordinary compassion, nursing expertise, attention to detail, genuine friendliness and commitment to going above and beyond for our patients, their families and his coworkers," asserts Latino. "In my time working with Scott, he has reminded me daily of why we nurses do what we do.”