Ruby Patton, better known as Miss Ruby to everyone in her Mississippi Delta community, began showing the symptoms that often come with aging.

After a while, those moments of forgetfulness and confusion increased to a point that Miss Ruby's children started wondering if there was something else causing their mother to forget if she had started the washing machine - while the appliance was in the middle of its cycle.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center will celebrate National Hospital Week May 11-15 with a slate of activities dubbed (One Team, One Goal #ahealthierMS" for UMMC faculty and employees.

A "Blessing of the Hands" will kick off the scheduled events at noon on Monday, May 11, in the University Hospital Chapel. The following day, the Employee Assistance Program will host a work/life webinar, "Using Mindfulness to Combat Stress."

Things really get rolling on Wednesday, May 13, when a free employee meal will be served from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the School of Medicine entrance, the University Physicians Pavilion and in the Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants courtyard (late shift employees will be served that evening from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. in the UMMC Cafeteria). Wednesday also will be "Jersey Day" at the Medical Center.

On Thursday, May 14, the 2500 Toastmasters will present "Laugh at Work . . . Experience the Magic of 2500 Toastmasters" at noon in room CW 308 of the Classroom Wing. That night will be UMMC Night at Trustmark Park in Pearl for the Mississippi Braves baseball game, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Employees will be urged to participate in a UMMC "White Out" throughout the day and during the game.

Friday, May 15, has been dubbed "Food Truck Friday" for the arrival of food trucks on campus that will offer a variety of lunchtime fare. Employees also will be encouraged to "Wear Blue" on Friday.

Throughout the week, a drawing for free Mississippi Braves tickets will take place. To view a full list of hospital week activities, click here; for more information, call Cammie Breedlove at 4-4181 or email her at cbreedlove@umc.edu.

The Medical Center is proud to acknowledge those employees who will celebrate service anniversaries this week:

25 Years

Dr. Sharon A. Lobert, professor of nursing

Candace Selkirk, finance analyst, Decision Support

20 Years

James Shaw, controls specialist, Building Maintenance (Electric Shop)

15 Years

Angela Green, electronic health records deficiency analyst, Health Information Management

Michelle Zebert, nurse, University Physicians (Ob-Gyn Women's Mirror Lake)

5 Years

April Beard, physician scheduler, University Physicians (Radiation/Oncology Cancer Institute Administration)

Seena Edgerton, assistant professor, School of Health Related Professions (Radiologic Science Program)

Sandra Johnston, administrative assistant, School of Dentistry (Care Planning and Restorative Sciences)

Tommeka Mason, administrative assistant, School of Medicine (Pulmonology)

Justin Spears, cardiovascular/interventional technologist, Interventional Radiology Services

A number of interesting events is scheduled for the upcoming week at the Medical Center.