National nursing award for Skinner

After already being selected one of five area “Nurse of the Year” recipients for 2020, Andrea Skinner, RN, a head charge nurse on the 2 West Cardiac Stepdown Unit at Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center, has been selected by leadership at Community Health Systems to receive the National Nursing Excellence Award.

Nurses at CHS facilities, which number about 90 locations/hospitals across the organization, were nominated by their peers for this prestigious award, which recognizes the critical role nurses play in treating patients, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have worked with Andrea for several years, and she is one of the most caring and compassionate nurses I have ever known,” said Vickie Hiltibran, RN, director of nursing at Turkey Creek Medical Center, who nominated Skinner for the honor. “She exemplifies compassionate care — not only to her patients and their families, but also to her coworkers.”

Skinner has been with the health system (Baptist/St. Mary’s/Tennova) for 29 years and has been a nurse at TCMC since 2018.

“Our profession is better because of her contributions,” Hiltibran said. “And our community is blessed to have such a kind, compassionate and loving mentor who is an example of God’s grace here on earth.”