Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce holds 73rd annual awards banquet

The Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce held its 73rd Awards Banquet on Thursday evening at The Henry Smith House.

The Civic Club of the Year was the Kiwanis Club of Picayune. The club focuses on providing activities for those special needs citizens by sponsoring the Special Olympics field day, fishing tournament, buddy ball, and an assortment of playground equipment for area playgrounds.

Norman Howell was named the Volunteer of the Year.

Gerald Cruthird was the Citizen of the Year.

Bryan Maxie (center) and members of his Highland Community Hospital team

Highland Community Hospital was the recipient of the Excellence in Business Award for their leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highland offered a drive thru clinic that provided rapid COVID testing, anti-body infusions, a vaccination clinic, and exceptional care for COVID patients over the past 18 months. Highland’s drive thru clinic was the only one in the state of Mississippi.

Highland is one of the larger employers in the area; with a total of 384 employees. Recently they were spotlighted by the Governor of Mississippi as well as the Executive Director of the MS State Department of Health for an outstanding job in serving the community