Department Director of the Quarter for First Quarter of 2021

Cutline: Pictured is Department Director of the Quarter at Henry County Medical Center, DeAnn Berry, Director of CCU/PCU/Cardiac Rehab.  She was recently recognized during the Department Directors’ meeting in January.

Paris, TN – Henry County Medical Center is proud to announce that DeAnn Berry, Director of Critical Care Unit, Progressive Care Unit, and Cardiac Rehab, was selected as Director of the Quarter at the January Department Directors’ meeting.

Berry was selected for Department Director of the Quarter for her outstanding leadership during the pandemic.  Over the past year, Berry led her team with grace and determination.  She and her team have been challenged mentally, physically, and emotionally while continuing to deliver exceptional care to critically ill patients and their families.  Berry has persevered through struggles of hiring, training, and retaining critically care trained nurse.  She has worked tirelessly to ensure her staff feel supported.  She has worked nights and weekends alongside her staff when there was no other staff to work.  She has worked diligently to make sure policies, procedures, and practices reflect the changes that continue to occur to keep her staff and patients safe.

“It is our honor to select DeAnn Berry as Director of the Quarter,” said Neely Ashby, CNO/COO at Henry County Medical Center.  “DeAnn is an outstanding leader with a passion for nursing excellence in the delivery of patient centered care.  She is an exceptional nurse who sets the bar high for patient care and safety.  DeAnn is committed to this organization, her staff, her patients, and the nursing administrative team.  We are proud to have her on our team and in our organization.”

Berry is from Camden, TN and has been a nurse for 19 years.  She has been in a director role since 2014, minus the short 9 months away from the bedside while in HIM as a Documentation Specialist.  Berry is married to Cameron and has three girls.

“Critical Care is my true passion,” said Berry.  “To witness patients leaving the Critical Care Unit after seeing them at their worst is an experience I cannot put into word.  It is truly touching.”

“During the worst phase of our COVID experience here in the CCU, I have never been more proud of our staff,” stated Berry.  “They ALL worked until exhaustion, not just the nurses, everyone.  We were grateful to see nurses from other departments willing to be there to support us and pick up shifts.  All the ancillary departments were extremely understanding and supportive.  It was a strong test of teamwork and I am so proud to be a part of our hospital.  I have worked with the some of the very best nurses in this hospital and if I needed treatment, I feel comfortable letting them take care of me.  The staff in this hospital is my home away from home.  It doesn’t matter what department you work in family is family.  I have seen this hospital come together to help each other more than once and I am proud to be a part of that.  I have always felt led to work at HCMC and my desire is to do so for many more years.”

HCMC recognizes department leaders every quarter as well as selecting a department leader of the year at the annual Service Awards Banquet.

For more information about HCMC, check us out online at www.hcmc-tn.org.

About Henry County Medical Center

Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region.  Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 7 provider clinics in various specialties.  Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.