Hometown Hero

from Greenwood Life June 2020

by Times Record

Michael Lejong

HOMETOWN HERO By Scott Cutlip

CONTRIBUTING WRITER ANGIE BYERS

Patients Come First

WWW.GREENWOODARLIFE.COM | JUNE 2020 | Greenwood Life

e COVID-19 outbreak has brought many challenges, especially to medical professionals. Angie Byers, a nurse at Greenwood’s Mercy Clinic, knows as well as any. Although many in the community know and like her, she still has received the occasional wary look when she would go to the store in scrubs. “I’ve learned to change my clothes before I leave,” she said, laughing.

Despite circumstances like this, Byers loves her life as a nurse, even through these trying times. “Being a nurse, especially in this time, is really a great blessing,” she said. “I do it for my heart. My patients are de nitely a big part of my life. I’m probably more blessed now by my patients than I ever had been before.”

Byers grew up in Washington state and moved to Arkansas as a sophomore in high school. She graduated from Mans eld High School in 1993. She attended Westark (now University of Arkansas Fort Smith) to receive her nursing degree in 1999. A er working in a nursing home and a dermatology clinic, she started at Mercy Clinic (then the Bailey Clinic) in 2006 and has worked there ever since, currently working with Dr. Lance Barton.

According to clinic reviews online,

“WE DON’T DO IT FOR THE MONEY; I DO IT FOR MY HEART.”

Angie Byers

NURSE AT GREENWOOD’S MERCY CLINIC

Angie is extremely well-liked by patients. In turn, she said they’ve become like family to her.

Byers has attended Fellowship Baptist Church, where she teaches Sunday school, for 20 years. She has also been on several missions to Haiti, as well as many stateside missions.

Byers has been married to her husband John, an Arkhola employee, for 24 years. ey have three children: Shelby, 23, a preschool employee; Hailey, 18, who graduated from Mans eld last year; and Braxton, 15, a freshman at Mans eld.

e coronavirus has changed some things, such as more virtual patient interaction and even having to see patients in their cars, but her mission hasn’t changed. “During this virus, we haven’t been able to provide our total care,” she said. “And I miss that one on one with them. Being a nurse during this time is a blessing. We don’t do it for the money; I do it for my heart. I’m probably more blessed now by my patients than I ever have been before.