Donor support empowers Floyd nurse to lead and excel
From a young age, Tate Smith, RN, knew one thing for certain – his life would not be spent behind a desk.
“My parents had office jobs, and I just knew I wanted something different,” Tate said. “I didn’t want to be chained to a desk. I wanted to help people.”
Tate's patients and colleagues are grateful he followed that call.
His journey with Baptist Health Floyd spans nearly a decade, beginning in the Emergency Department before transitioning into a nurse educator role, and now into leadership as the clinical coordinator for the Surgical Inpatient Services (SIPS) unit. In his current role, Tate supports a 32-bed department and a team of more than 100 employees, focusing on quality care metrics, onboarding new staff, and being a constant source of support.
Tate was named the 2025 Nurse of the Year, an honor made even more meaningful because it was chosen by his peers.
“I was blown away,” he said. “To be nominated and chosen by the people I work with every day – there’s no greater honor. That means the world.”
He also credits the SIPS team for shaping him as a leader.
“This team is the reason I received this award,” he said. “They’ve taught me so much, more than I could ever teach them. The teamwork here is unlike anything I’ve experienced.”
Baptist Health Foundation Floyd established a Nurse Excellence Fund to help grow and retain nurses like Tate – nurses who embody compassion, leadership, and commitment to their patients.
The Nurse Excellence Fund directly supports continuing education, advanced certifications, and leadership development for nurses across the hospital system. It's an investment in people like Tate, whose impact ripples throughout the care team and into the community.
“Healthcare is about meeting people where they are, often at their lowest,” Tate said. “Whether it’s helping in the ER or walking alongside someone after surgery, being part of that healing journey is powerful.”
Because of donors like you, Baptist Health nurses have the resources and encouragement they need to grow.
Because of you, they can thrive.
“My parents had office jobs, and I just knew I wanted something different,” Tate said. “I didn’t want to be chained to a desk. I wanted to help people.”
Tate's patients and colleagues are grateful he followed that call.
His journey with Baptist Health Floyd spans nearly a decade, beginning in the Emergency Department before transitioning into a nurse educator role, and now into leadership as the clinical coordinator for the Surgical Inpatient Services (SIPS) unit. In his current role, Tate supports a 32-bed department and a team of more than 100 employees, focusing on quality care metrics, onboarding new staff, and being a constant source of support.
Tate was named the 2025 Nurse of the Year, an honor made even more meaningful because it was chosen by his peers.
“I was blown away,” he said. “To be nominated and chosen by the people I work with every day – there’s no greater honor. That means the world.”
He also credits the SIPS team for shaping him as a leader.
“This team is the reason I received this award,” he said. “They’ve taught me so much, more than I could ever teach them. The teamwork here is unlike anything I’ve experienced.”
Baptist Health Foundation Floyd established a Nurse Excellence Fund to help grow and retain nurses like Tate – nurses who embody compassion, leadership, and commitment to their patients.
The Nurse Excellence Fund directly supports continuing education, advanced certifications, and leadership development for nurses across the hospital system. It's an investment in people like Tate, whose impact ripples throughout the care team and into the community.
“Healthcare is about meeting people where they are, often at their lowest,” Tate said. “Whether it’s helping in the ER or walking alongside someone after surgery, being part of that healing journey is powerful.”
Because of donors like you, Baptist Health nurses have the resources and encouragement they need to grow.
Because of you, they can thrive.
The Dawn of a Healthier Tomorrow
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