Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - North Mississippi - (Page 56)

catch the spirit let your spirit shine area women garner awards for their efforts Bev Crossen, a passionate volunteer from Tupelo, recently won the national Spirit of Women Community Hero Award. Crossen, who represented North Mississippi Medical Center, was selected from a pool of extraordinary regional nominees based on actions to improve her community. “We are thrilled that our regional winner won the national award,” says Liz Dawson, who coordinates NMMC’s Spirit of Women program. “This is a testament to the amazing community of women that we have here in northeast Mississippi who are doing so many significant things in our area.” Ashley Pruitt, Young Person Role Model Mary Pace, M.D., Healthcare Hero ❋ her extraordinary story Crossen is a driving force behind the Weston Reed Cardiovascular Conference, an effort she helped start three years ago after the untimely death of 11-year-old Weston Reed. So far these efforts have provided about 100 automated external defibrillators and free CPR training for hundreds of area residents. This past year through Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo, Crossen organized volunteers to train 420 9th grade students at Tupelo High School in this lifesaving skill. A native of Bishop, Va., Crossen is the oldest of six children. “My father taught me early on that if you want something done, you should do it yourself and do it with all your heart,” she says. She moved to Tupelo in June 1998 with her husband, cardiac electrophysiologist Karl Crossen, M.D., and three children. She is actively involved with the Lee County Medical Alliance, Tupelo Symphony, Tupelo Artist Guild, Church Street PTA, Tupelo Aquatic Club and Junior Auxiliary. Shortly after Weston Reed suffered sudden cardiac death Aug. 16, 2007, on a soccer field, Crossen set out to help make Tupelo better prepared to handle such incidents. She wanted Tupelo residents to know how to perform CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator, the only effective treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. And she wanted this lifesaving technology more readily available throughout our community. Bev Crossen, 2009’s national Spirit of Women Community Hero ❋ regional winners In addition to Crossen, other regional winners were Ashley Pruitt, Young Person Role Model; and Mary Pace, M.D., Healthcare Hero. A recent graduate of Tupelo High School, Pruitt was an honor roll and honor band student. She gives trumpet lessons to younger band students and also mentors through her Girl Scout troop and church. She actively volunteers throughout the community and recently earned the Gold Award, Girl Scouts’ highest honor. Pace is a recipient of the prestigious Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship for her healthcare efforts, which includes sharing her time freely to speak to various community groups. She is a charter board member for New Expectations for Women in Mississippi, volunteers at the Good Samaritan Free Clinic and serves on several community boards. Pace recently underwent special training to be designated by Spirit of Women as a HeartCaring physician. catch the spirit NMMC’s Spirit of Women program offers special events, recreational activities, health screenings and workshops. Members receive a news bulletin with special discounts and services from area businesses, advance notification of upcoming programs, as well as members-only events and activities, and free gifts. For more information about Spirit of Women, call 662-377-4099 or 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375), or visit www.nmhs.net/spirit_of_women. vim & vigor • winte r 2 009 http://www.nmhs.net/spirit_of_women

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Our Newest Addition
Diabetes Check
Model Behavior
Is it a Sign?
Your Heart: The Owner's Manual
Independence Days
Sidney Poitier
The Right Stuff
Watch and Learn
Up to Speed
Pedi-cures
Shining Stars
Back in Action
Digest This
Healthy Bites
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - North Mississippi