Haywood Regional Medical Center this week recognized Jill Burnette, RN for a remarkable 50-year career dedicated to caring for generations of Haywood County residents.

Born and raised in Haywood County, Burnette began her career in 1976 at the former Haywood County Hospital in its original East Waynesville location. She continued serving patients through the hospital’s transition to its current campus, which opened in 1979, reflecting her deep roots in both the organization and the community it serves.

Burnette began her nursing journey by earning her licensed practical nurse credential from Haywood Technical Institute, now Haywood Community College. She later completed her associate degree in nursing through Excelsior College, becoming a registered nurse and continuing a career defined by compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to patient care.

She spent the majority of her five-decade career serving patients in the emergency department at Haywood Regional Medical Center, where she became a trusted presence for patients and colleagues alike. For 40 years, Burnette also served as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), providing expert, trauma-informed care to some of the community’s most vulnerable patients during their most difficult moments. She was honored as Haywood County Hospital’s Employee of the Year in 1987, an early reflection of the dedication and professionalism that defined her career.

After transitioning from the emergency department, Burnette continued her service in the outpatient infusion center, where she worked until her retirement at the end of December 2025.

Burnette’s dedication to healthcare extends beyond her own career and into her family. She is the mother of four children and grandmother to six grandchildren, several of whom have followed in her footsteps into the nursing profession and have worked, or continue to work, at Haywood Regional Medical Center, including nursing supervisor Kim Brock, RN.

Her retirement was celebrated this week with a special gathering attended by current staff, former colleagues who returned specifically for the occasion, team members from across the organization, family members, and community supporters. Many shared deeply personal reflections on Burnette’s impact, repeatedly noting that she cared for every patient as if they were her own family.

“Jill is like a stone in a smooth pond: the countless ripples of her legacy continue outward,” said Al Mina, MD, FACS, chief medical officer. “Her influence extends far beyond the patients she treated or the shifts she worked. She shaped the culture of care around her, and the impact of her compassion will be felt for generations.”

Sue Shugart, FACHE, CPPS, chief executive officer, echoed those sentiments.

“Fifty years of service is an incredible milestone, but what truly sets Jill apart is the heart she brought to every role she held,” said Sue Shugart. “She represents the very best of nursing and of this organization with dedication, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility to the community she calls home. We are profoundly grateful for her legacy.”