Stockbridge, Ga. (May 13, 2025) – Piedmont Henry Hospital celebrated Nurses Week on Tuesday, May 6 with its annual Nursing Awards. Nurses and nurse leaders were nominated by their peers in the following categories: Nurse Resident of the Year, Nurse Preceptor of the Year, Nurse Leader of the Year, and Nurse of the Year.
Samuel Balty, RN, was named the Nurse Resident of the Year. A nurse in the ICU, Balty has demonstrated his knowledge and compassion after completing his practicum on the unit. During multidisciplinary rounds, he presented a high acuity patient with such confidence that team members did not realize he was a student. Balty was recognized for setting a high bar and regularly exceeding expectations.
Lily Curran, RN, was named Nurse Preceptor of the Year. Curran is a preceptor in the emergency department and sets a positive tone for the team. Her nomination letter remarked on how her attitude calms nerves for people new to the department, whether they are patients or staff members.
Chutney Sumpter, the clinical manager of the Transitional Care Unit and 2 West, was named Nurse Leader of the Year. She was nominated by numerous team members and colleagues for her open-door policy and for mentoring members of her team to develop both professionally and personally. One of the many letters nominating her for this award praised Sumpter for “keeping the team on the side of right.” That mantra is one both teams have adopted, as they encourage each other to keep improving.
Heather Melton, an RN in the operating room, was named Nurse of the Year. She was nominated for being a champion for safety and exemplifying teamwork and connections. Melton often arrives early to assist the night shift with closing trauma cases and has a great attention to detail to prevent any issues from occurring. She was also nominated for her work during the periods of inclement weather this year, staying over to ensure the operating room was covered in case other members of her team had trouble coming in.
“These four individuals are just a small fraction of the incredible nurses we have at Piedmont Henry,” said Chief Nursing Officer Paula Butts. “I am so proud of all the nominees, as well as our entire team, for the compassionate care they consistently provide to the Henry County community. I know they believe that nursing is their calling and that they can make a positive difference in every life we touch.”