February 6, 2025 - Nacogdoches Medical Center Shelby County Emergency Services and Diagnostic Imaging Center celebrated it’s 10th anniversary on January 30, 2025, and honored several staff members during the gathering. Shelby County Chamber of Commerce ambassadors were on hand to commemorate the event.
Jeff Patterson, Chief Executive Officer for Nacogdoches Medical Center, opened the program and spoke about the team that operates the department and what they provide.
“I am just so proud of this team. This emergency department is the hub for healthcare services, as you know it’s not just ER it does diagnostic imaging and laboratory services.”
Gary Stokes, retired CEO of Nacogdoches Medical Center, was introduced as the visionary of Shelby County Emergency Services and he spoke about the development of the facility.
“Tenet purchased the current property and opened an imaging center and emergency department in 2014,” said Stokes. “Today, it’s apparent that you’ve all been extremely successful in providing outstanding services and healthcare to Center and the surrounding area. Congratulations on your 10th anniversary, and in the Navy as we say, job well done.”
Tammy Hanson, Site Director of Shelby County Emergency Services and Diagnostic Imaging Center, gave some background about the facility and shared about the service provided by the staff.
“Over the last 10 years of great service, we’ve proudly served over 102,772 patients at the end of 2024, that number has gone up since that time,” said Hanson. “We are demonstrating an unwavering dedication, providing high quality accessible emergency care to the community. We have also proudly served our community with outpatient and diagnostic testing in the 100s of thousands of numbers.”
Hanson related that she is born and raised in Shelby County, and was one of the last twins that Dr. Joe Hooker delivered in the community and she explained her direct connection to the community through her own parents and family. She reflected on a time before the emergency services department when Shelby County was without emergency care, and her family as well as the community were at risk of not knowing where to go in the event of an accident. Law enforcement and facilities were having to transport patients out of the area.
“I had a privilege of cherry picking my team that I got to bring to Center with me, and I’ll tell you, about 85% of the nurses that are employed here in this facility is home grown, they live here,” said Hanson. “We had an opportunity to bring these, some of the best of the best back to the community that they live in and that investment is invaluable.”
Hanson stated that as a team, the staff collectively represents 521 years of nursing experience with an average of 21 years per nurse.
“Know that this speaks volumes about the depth of our knowledge, our commitment and our heart that we take to each of our patients in our community every day,” said Hanson.
Eight nurses and one imaging staff member who are still with the facility since it opened were recognized and honored during the program for their commitment and service. They included Tammy Hanson, RN; Anna Lee, RN; Enid Durham, RN; Shirley Naquin, RN; Sheila Barton, RN; Kathy Curry, RN; Don Radcliff, RN; Deborah Sowell, RN and Imaging Staff: Chloe Beth Lee.
