Sandy Brackin with Country Cottage presents the Nurse of the Year award to Jeannie Williams, Labor and Delivery Manager at Russellville Hospital. | Melissa Cason/FCT

Longtime Russellville Hospital labor and delivery nurse Jeannie Williams thought she was attending the presentation of the 2010 Nurse of the Year ceremony as a courtesy for being nominated, but when she heard her name announced as the winner, she was in shock.

“I had no idea,” Williams told her friends after the ceremony. “I was totally shocked.”

Williams has been a registered nurse for 24 years, and has been employed by Russellville Hospital for 20 years.

She began nursing after her first child was born. She realized she wanted to help new mothers give birth.

“I had a difficult labor with my first child, and it’s because of that experience I became a nurse,” Williams said.

Williams earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of North Alabama and has only worked as a labor and delivery nurse during her career.

“Babies are the reason I became a nurse,” she said. “I wanted to help mothers give birth.  It is all I ever wanted to do.”

Williams said her first time as a nurse in the delivery room reaffirmed her calling.

“It was better than any football game or other sporting event. It was so beautiful to watch a person come into this world. I just loved it,” she said.

Williams currently serves at the Labor and Delivery Manger at Russellville Hospital.

The 2010 Nurse of the Year award was presented Thursday night at the Country Cottage, and was selected by a selection committee, which included Nina McNatt,  Jeremy Glenn and Keith Barnett.

“We want to say that we love and appreciate what you do,” Barnett said. “I believe you all are a good example for your peers.”

The nominees for this year’s award included Greta Bragwell,  Michelle Cooper, Sherry Cooper, Bea Inmon, Belinda Johnson, Sheila Kimbrough, Emily Kutzley, Monica Lynch, Jenny Pace, Melinda Sherrill, Leah Shewbart and Williams.