PURVIS, Miss. -- April Holder, RN BSN, was promoted to Nurse Executive at South Mississippi State Hospital effective January 1, and on January 14 was selected by fellow employees as Employee of the Quarter, fourth quarter, 2015.
Holder has been with SMSH since May 2006; she began as an RN and worked her way up to Unit Coordinator before being named Nurse Executive.
"April is always honest and compassionate with her responses to requests by both patients and staff. She speaks the truth, tempered with compassion, even when the truth is difficult to hear," said Angela Pounds, SMSH social worker. "April holds herself and those around her to very high standards. Not only is April an exceptional nurse, she is an excellent leader! When difficult situations come up, April is always the first one willing to roll up her sleeves and do whatever it takes to maintain the highest level of dignity and respect for everyone involved."
She graduated from Lumberton High School and is a resident of Lamar County. She obtained an Associates degree in nursing from Pearl River Community College in 2005 and earned her BSN from William Carey University in 2014. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree from WCU in nursing education with a specialty in administration.
“I love my job!” said Holder. “I really enjoy the fact that my coworkers are always there and willing to help out whenever needed. I feel like I have learned so much here, and I look forward to applying that knowledge to this new position at SMSH.”
Holder was previously selected Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2011. She is a member of Friends of SMSH at the Sapphire level, and was awarded the Friends of SMSH scholarship in June 2014 and in March 2015.
South Mississippi State Hospital (SMSH) is a 50-bed acute care behavioral health program in Purvis that offers mental health treatment and services for adults in the southern part of the state. The hospital’s Friends of SMSH organization recognizes an outstanding employee each quarter and provides service pins and incentive-related supplies and activities for hospital staff as well as needed services and events for patients. Friends of SMSH is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health and the needs of individuals with mental illness, improving the quality of life for patients, and providing recognition and support for employees.