2026 Bemmy Awards Honor Lifesaving Caregivers, Compassionate Leaders

The Beaufort Memorial “Bemmy” Awards are a night of camaraderie among impactful caregivers and staff who work in an incredibly difficult industry: healthcare.

These employees were honored for their lifesaving and compassionate care at the fifth annual Bemmys (held during Hospital Week), an awards ceremony featuring 11 categories.

“This is my favorite night of the year, where we celebrate you as caregivers in one of the hardest industries,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley as he kicked off the evening at Tabby Place in downtown Beaufort. “It takes a special kind of person to be committed to working in healthcare, and each one of you is that person. I’m proud to say that I’m a friend, a colleague and a partner in what we do and how we serve our community.”

The three Beaufort Memorial Express Care and Occupational Health locations took the high honor of Department of the Year for their ability to juggle not only urgent care services but occupational health and employee health, too.

“This ability is a testament to their leadership, adaptability and operational excellence,” the department’s nomination read. “One of the great strengths of the Express Care department is its people, supported by a strong, cohesive team that is steadfast in providing compassionate, high-quality care.”

The award’s runner-up was the Beaufort Memorial Hospital mental health services department, which has experienced a year of innovation and growth as the only inpatient mental health unit serving Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties, as well as the sole psychiatric healthcare provider for the Beaufort County Detention Center.

In 2025, the department saw the addition of a new Evaluation and Assessment Unit as a part of the hospital ER, expanding psychiatric and behavioral health services even further.

Emergency room physician Dr. Luke Baxley took the Bemmy for Physician of the Year for his compassionate, knowledgeable leadership and his work in mentoring emergency medicine residents from the Medical University of South Carolina.

“Dr. Baxley is a vital reason why our emergency department has seen such growth and success over the last two years,” read his nomination. “His work has not only expanded educational opportunities but has positioned Beaufort Memorial as a center for excellence and a positive beacon in the Lowcountry.”

Runner-up for this award was Dr. Andrew Stevens, a physician with Beaufort Memorial Pulmonary Specialists. Dr. Stevens is “caring and compassionate,” his nomination said, “changing people’s lives for the better and bringing strength and hope to so many.”

While Express Care was honored with a department-wide Bemmy, one caregiver in the department was also honored: Carri Knapp, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, took home to Bemmy for Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year for her positivity, willingness to go above and beyond for her patients and colleagues and her “heart full of passion.”

Runner-up for the APP honor was another Express Care provider, Tammy Page, FNP-C, who was nominated for her patient-centered approach, clinical excellence and for being a “true team player and leader.”

ER nurse Ashley Bentley, RN, was honored with the Vaux Award for Clinical Employee of the Year for her dependability, commitment to her team and the joy she brings to the workplace.

“Ashley is known for her consistently positive attitude and the meaningful impact it has on those around her,” said her nomination. “She approaches even the most stressful situations with calmness and professionalism, maintaining a steady, approachable presence that puts patients and colleagues at ease.”

Respiratory care practitioner Lauren Holmes, RT, NBRC, NRP, was the runner-up for this award for going the extra mile, particularly during a situation last spring where she came in on her day off to care for pediatric trauma patients.