Registered nurse Angie Hurt, a staff nurse at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital, was among 10 west Alabama hospital employees honored for their dedication to the health care industry by being named a Hospital Hero. The Hospital Heroes contest is the seventh annual recognition sponsored by the Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA).

Hospital employees in seven other regions of the state were also recognized, and from the total group, 10 individuals will be selected as statewide Hospital Heroes and recognized at the association’s Leadership Forum in Birmingham next month.

“This is really exciting,” said Hurt, who has worked at the hospital for ix years.

Hurt joked that her mother made her go into nursing, but claimed that she stayed in the field because of the joy she’s found in her job. Co-workers at the hospital agree; when nurses or other staff at the hospital need help, they often turn to Hurt.

“Angela doesn’t just care for her patients; she is also a cheerleader for the entire hospital’s success,” explained Danny Smith, the hospital’s human resources division director. “She understands the critical role a nurse plays in the hospital setting, yet respects the roles of other departments.”

While the hospital is currently undergoing an information technology conversion to all electronic medical records, Hurt’s supervisors have labeled her as the “go-to” person because of her computer skills and willingness to work through any challenge.

“She is just a great person,” said hospital administrator Mike Marshall. “She is one of those kinds of people who always has a smile on her face. You don’t ever have to ask her to anything extra; she just does it. She’s a joy to be around, and is a humble, good person.”

Hurt serves as a mentor for nursing students, gladly sharing her experiences, skills and knowledge of the nursing field in order to help shape the young nurses. In 2008, she was recognized by the hospital as the Employee of the Year.

“If you’ve ever been in a hospital, chances are you’ve had a special caregiver who went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure your stay was not only productive, but comfortable,” said J. Michael Horsley, president of the Alabama Hospital Association. “It is these types of individuals we honor each year as Alabama’s Hospital Heroes: people who consider their work more than a job, who consider it a calling.”

The Alabama Hospital Association, based in Montgomery, is a statewide trade organization that represents more than 100 hospitals and numerous other health care providers in their efforts to provide quality health care.