Connect with us

Local News

Hospital nursing assistant recognized with BEE Award

Published

on




Ashanti Smith, a nursing assistant at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, is the most recent winner of FirstHealth’s BEE Award, which recognizes employees who go above and beyond to fulfill the system’s core purpose – To Care for People.

Smith helps care for patients on 3 Surgical, a unit that cares for patients following orthopaedic procedures. A fellow team member nominated Smith, saying she brightens people’s days with her big smile and positive energy.

“You can hear Ashanti’s positive energy down the hall, and the patients love her. She spends time with them, making them feel comfortable in the hospital setting,” the coworker wrote. “From coming in early, staying late and being flexible to work day shift or night, she works to take stress off the unit.”

Smith has served patients in many ways during her FirstHealth career, starting as a housekeeper before deciding she wanted to go into patient care. Smith completed FirstHealth’s Nursing Assistant I and Nursing Assistant II programs.

“She completed her program and has become one of the best nursing assistants,” the nominating employee wrote. “She loves to learn and always asks if she can watch nurses complete skills so she can prepare for nursing school. She precepts new nursing assistants, helping them to be the best they can be. Ashanti will make an amazing nurse! I am so thankful to be able to work with her. In the most stressful times, she brings peace and laughter.”

Susan Taylor, BSN, R.N., ONC, Smith’s manager on 3Surgical, said she is “doing an amazing job.”

“She started as a housekeeper here, and I used to sit in my office and listen to her clean rooms and make patients feel so comfortable with her. She went through the NA I NA II programs and is doing an amazing job,” Taylor said. “Ashanti has a way with dementia patients that cannot be taught, and she exudes the type of culture that 3 Surgical strives to deliver daily. Ashanti is a great asset to the unit and the organization. Her smile will brighten any room!”

The BEE Award (Beyond Exceptional Expectations) is designed to honor non-nurses who help support nurses in delivering exceptional patient care. Nominations can be made to honor patient care technicians, specialty technicians, respiratory therapists, food and nutrition staff, transport or other colleagues outside of nursing.

Feature photo: Ashanti Smith (center), nursing assistant at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, is joined by Jonathan Davis, MPH, FACHE, FirstHealth chief operating officer and president of Moore Regional; Shannon Smith, MSN, R.N., nurse executive; Susan Taylor, BSN, R.N., ONC, nurse manager; and Jenifir Bruno, M.D., chief medical officer, after receiving the FirstHealth BEE Award.

To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news and weekly e-newsletter, please click here.

Contributed article/photo.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Local News

2 arrested in ‘Felony Lane Gang’ case targeting cars at gyms

Published

on





Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.

According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen. 

“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”

Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.

Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.

Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.

All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.

Via Aberdeen Police Department.

Continue Reading

Local News

Three facing charges after Aberdeen drug search

Published

on





Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.

Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.

Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.

Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.

Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.

Continue Reading

Local News

Two arrested in multi-county ‘Felony Lane Gang’ case targeting cars at gyms

Published

on





Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.

According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen. 

“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”

Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.

Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.

Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.

All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.

Via Aberdeen Police Department.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 highlandcavalier.com.