Career Paths of Lane's Nursing Leadership Team
Staci Sullivan, MSN, RNC
Chief Nursing Officer
Lane Team Member since 2015
"After nearly three decades, I am reminded daily of why I love my career in nursing and why I am glad I found my way to Lane Regional Medical Center. From the operating room to medical-surgical nursing to adult and neonatal intensive care; nursing has provided me many opportunities in patient care, education, and leadership. At Lane, you'll find opportunities for happiness, growth, and prosperity.
As nurses, we touch lives in ways that few others can - spiritually, emotionally and physically. As we work to create good patient experiences and positive clinical outcomes, we realize that patients and families need more than our knowledge and nursing skills, they also need our support, kindness and guidance. As Lane nurses, we work together as a true team. We value and respect one another, and we've created a culture based on our core values of excellence, integrity, compassion, respect and commitment.
At Lane, the more you give of yourself as a person and as a professional, the more you receive. You'll find our recognition and reward structure appreciates the advocate, innovator, educator, counselor and practitioner roles of nursing. Whatever your dreams and aspirations, we'll help you create a plan to reach them. Life may be a journey, but your nursing career needs a destination just like mine did. I invite you to come discover Lane."
Lori Carruth, RN
Surgical Services Director
Lane Team Member since 2005
"I am from a small town in Mississippi and started as an RN at a rural, critical access hospital near home. After 10 years, I decided to make the short drive to Zachary for a big jump in my career and accepted the leadership position.
Once I got here, I knew it was the right decision. From the very start, people were welcoming, warm, and friendly. It felt like home, and I am glad I didn't have to make the drive into a bigger city.
At Lane, we provide the same, if not better, standards of care as the larger hospitals. We follow the same guidelines and utilize the same best practices on a daily basis. The difference is, at Lane, our nurses have more versatility and can cross train in other units, providing them with valuable experience, broadened skills, more confidence, and more growth opportunities.
In Surgery, our nurses are cross trained to circulate Day Surgery and PACU. They assist in all surgical specialty areas, including orthopedics, obstetrics, GYN, neuro/spine, pain, GI, Endo, ENT, podiatry, and a variety of general surgery cases.
I look for nurses who are go-getters with strong work ethics, are open to change, and want to expand their role and learn about different types of care. Nurses who are dependable, reliable, compassionate, and committed will do well here. It's important to me that our nurses are happy in their positions; it's the only way our team can function and thrive. As a mentor, I encourage online training, certifications, and continuing education.
Lane is special to me because the executive leadership team is strong and has faith in the staff. They give us the tools and support we need to do our jobs and appreciate our efforts. I love working at Lane. It is my refuge and where I find peace. It is comforting to know my family and friends have a place nearby to get excellent health care, and I am excited to be a part of it."
Jason Gwyn, RN
Director of Endoscopy & Infusion Services
Lane Team Member since 1993
"I am originally from Toronto, Canada where funds for socialized medicine had basically dried up when I graduated from college in 1992, which meant there were limited opportunities for nurses. Several of my friends had chosen to come to Lane and really liked it, so I joined them. I started as a staff nurse on the Medical/Surgical unit, then transitioned to house supervisor.
I married a local girl who wanted to experience northern living, so we moved back to Canada where I worked as an ICU nurse. After five years, we moved back home and Lane welcomed me back. I worked in many different units, including ICU, Day Surgery and Endoscopy, and was promoted to nurse manager.
There are plenty of opportunities here at Lane to move up or move over to other specialty areas to further one's career. For example, over the years as the hospital grew, I helped open several new service lines including the Cath Lab, Infusion, and Oncology. I was also part of the team that planned and designed our state-of-the-art Endoscopy & Infusion Center featuring the latest generation of Olympus scopes and outfitted with one monitor per bedside.
The culture at Lane is very family-oriented and future focused. Senior leadership is strong and we have continued to grow in a very competitive market by expanding service lines, adding new services, and recruiting new specialists. As Lane continues to expand, there will be more professional opportunities for nurses along the way. If this sounds like an environment you'd like to be a part of, we're here to help make it happen."
Billy Conerly, MSN, BS, RN
Emergency Department Director
Lane Team Member since 1989
"When I was in nursing school, I rotated through an emergency room and found I liked the fast-paced environment best. After five years in a New Orleans hospital ER and ICU, I began my nursing career at Lane as an RN in the ICU. I steadily worked my way up to charge nurse and lead preceptor, and then became a unit director in 1992. Over the years, I've managed the Telemetry, ICU, and Intermediate Care units and then moved to Emergency Room in 2006.
Despite living in Denham Springs, I've made the drive to Lane all these years because it is a progressive hospital with a home town feel. I appreciate the quality of care provided in a team oriented environment. We set high standards that are accountable for and use evidence-based practices to guide us.
The Emergency Department fosters advancement, and I like to hire dynamic, energetic, and innovative nurses who are goal-oriented, open minded, and can multitask. We see about 33,000 patients a year, so as a nurse you are exposed to patients of all age groups, pediatric - geriatric. We have strong cardiac, ortho, gastro, and OB programs, and we are a Level 3 stroke center with tele-stroke capabilities. As a general Emergency Department, our nurses treat patients with a wide array of medical, trauma, and psychiatric issues.
Being a smaller facility, there are also more opportunities for advancement here. As the hospital grows, if someone strives to do well, they can do well. There is nothing better than seeing a nurse's eyes light up as he or she learns something new, develops their talent, and pursues their passion. We provide ACLS, PALS, and TNCC training; we promote CEN certification, and we include staff in the decision making process.
For most of us, Lane is an extended part of our family and social circle. You feel like you are part of a community working here, a place where our nurses and providers are all truly concerned about the welfare and outcomes of our patients. Overall, it's a great place to work."
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Laura Peel, RN
Cardiology Services Director
Lane Team Member since 1990
“My nursing career may be a bit different than most. I was working at Lane as a scrub tech in the OR, when I decided to go back to school after having three children by the time I was 22 years old. A friend was enrolling in nursing at Southwest Mississippi Junior College, which inspired me to enroll, too. I continued working at Lane while I attended nursing school. Once graduated, I was a circulator nurse in the OR for 10 years, then I moved into a director position for Endoscopy and Day Surgery.
When the hospital began plans to open a heart catheterization lab, I was asked to oversee its pre & post areas until the new service line was fully operational. Lane Cardiovascular Center opened in 2007, and by 2008 I became its director on a full time basis.
In the cardiovascular unit we emphasize delivering quality care at all times. As an accredited chest pain center, we have close to 300 standards we have to meet and/or exceed. We pride ourselves in treating every patient with kindness so they feel not just cared for, but seen as a person, which allows us to develop real bonds with our patients and their families.
When interviewing potential team members, I look for people who are compassionate and want to be here for the right reasons. We hold each other accountable to do the job right, and the expectation is to treat everyone with respect. We are a family-focused team, and I go out of my way to make sure each staff member has the time off needed to fulfil those precious family obligations.
Lane has provided a very rewarding career for me, and it has always been here for my family and friends when we needed it most. I ask God every day to give me the opportunity to make real connections with patients, their families, and our staff, because overall I just want Lane to be the very best it can possibly be.”
Dawn Fuller, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS
Obstetrical Services Director
Lane Team Member since 2019
“I was born and raised in Zachary and now I’m raising my son here. After high school I started as a Nurse Tech in the Lane Rehabilitation Center. I worked there until I graduated from nursing school and became a registered nurse. I worked as a Labor & Delivery nurse at Woman’s Hospital and was there until the Director position became available here at Lane.
I jumped at the opportunity to work close to home and do what I love in my own community. What’s special about Lane’s LDRP unit is that it’s a smaller unit, so patients are able to stay in the same unit with the same nurses throughout their entire delivery experience. We put a lot of emphasis on continuity of care here at Lane and are proud of the specialized care that we can offer on our smaller unit.
Nurses on the LDRP unit receive specialized training to take care of both laboring and post-partum patients. Some specialize in post-partum or nursery care, while others are cross-trained to work in all areas.
When hiring nurses, I look for people who are passionate about women’s health and are excited to be part of this life-changing experience for our patients. We work as a team and need nurses who are not afraid to jump in and help out. New graduates with limited obstetrical experience are always welcome on our unit, because we provide a very intensive training and orientation period to prepare them for this type of specialized care. I believe in allowing my team to shine where they can as well as helping them to improve when needed.
Working at Lane feels like home. I’m part of an extended family here and am not just a number or a warm body. Everyone knows who everyone is, and I’m so happy that I’ve come full circle and am at Lane once again.”
Robbie Tanner, BSN, RN, CCRN
Intensive Care, Intermediate Care, and Respiratory Therapy Services Director
Lane Team Member since 2022
“I think I knew I always had a calling to become a nurse, because I witnessed first-hand what good nursing looked like due to my own childhood injuries and when family members and friends were hospitalized. In high school I had good teachers that piqued my interest in the health sciences and made the subjects interesting. By the time I enrolled in nursing at LSU, I knew it was what I was meant to do.
I began my nursing career in intensive care and later became an air transport nurse. When looking at how I could best serve while continuing to care for people’s well-being, the director position at Lane was mentioned. It was the perfect opportunity for me to grow and serve, and thankfully I was chosen for the position.
As a leader, I prioritize a cohesive team. Bringing together hard-working professionals who care about their patients, who care about each other, who can rely on their team mates, and who work well together is essential to providing quality care. I can teach skills, but I can’t teach integrity, compassion, or humility. As a team, we work together to improve processes to make the patient’s experience the best it can possibly be.
When you join the Lane team, you are joining the Lane family where you are greeted with a smile and people know your name. Together we strive to make it a positive environment for our patients as well as for each other.”
Bernitha Russell-Wilson, BSN, RN-BC
Director of Medical/Surgical and Telemetry
I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. I believe growing up in a large family made me a natural caregiver. I always enjoyed helping others. Looking back, it became evident that nursing was my passion after spending so much time with my brother while he was hospitalized. It was very rewarding for me to take part in making sure he was comfortable and his needs were met during his terminal illness.
When I graduated from nursing school, I spent my formative years as a Medical/Surgical and Telemetry nurse. From there, I ventured into Dialysis, Home Health, and Rehabilitation (Lane) as a staff nurse. Eventually, I wanted to progress to a leadership role. When the opportunity presented, I returned to work in Dialysis as a Clinical Manager where I worked for over 14 years. Next, I transitioned to the VA nursing where for three years I had the honor to serve veterans in an Outpatient Nurse Manager role.
With nursing leadership being my new passion, I was thrilled to learn of the Medical/Surgical and Telemetry Unit Director opportunity at Lane. It was not only a chance to advance in my role as a nurse leader, but I was also able to return to Lane where I am grateful to be able to work with and serve the residents of Zachary and the surrounding communities.
Our unit provides an extensive range of services to a population of patients ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics and consists of nursing staff ranging from new graduates to seasoned nurses with more than 25 years of experience. The new graduates are eager to learn and recognize the opportunity to gain invaluable clinical skills and time management skills. The experienced nurses appreciate the fast-paced environment and complex mix of patient needs. Many nursing students decide to join our team upon graduating as a result of their positive experiences during rotation here at Lane.
As a team, we focus on providing exceptional patient care for every patient, every time. The Medical/Surgical and Telemetry unit is busy but always welcoming and supportive. We celebrate and encourage one another in personal and professional endeavors, which is a reflection the hospital’s family-oriented environment.
Lane offers great employee benefits, flexible employment options, and plenty of opportunity for advancement. Lane also offers tuition support, continuing education, and several pay incentive options.
Overall, our Medical/Surgical and Telemetry team has a sense of pride and ownership, and we strive to make every day a great day at Lane!
