Alexandra (Allie) Ellington, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton

Alexandra (Allie) Ellington, a critical care nurse at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton Hospital, was presented with an AJC Nurse Excellence Award on Tuesday afternoon. About 800 nurses were nominated, with 10 being honored.

Ellington, 27, grew up in a family of nurses but wasn’t sure she wanted to follow that career path. She changed her mind after shadowing a few medical professionals during high school.

Now in her sixth year of nursing, Ellington has always worked in critical care and has been at the Braselton hospital for almost two years. She and her husband, Gerald, live in Hoschton.

“I am glad I chose (nursing),” she said. “It is rewarding every day, especially in the unit I work in, and I think that’s why I like it. You get the sickest of the sickest patients, and then you get to see how they make these big recoveries, and it’s really rewarding.”

Nurse director Jennifer Flint nominated Ellington. Flynt said Ellington “truly embodies and upholds the core values of nursing” and inspires others in the hospital.

Read about the other winners