NATCHEZ — Alice Thorpe, the nurse manager of the Natchez Regional Medical Center Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit, recently earned national certification for psychiatric and behavioral nursing.

She is now a board certified psychiatric and mental health nurse.

“This additional education and certification is a huge asset for our patients and families who entrust us with their care on our behavioral health unit, and we commend Alice for this accomplishment,” Chief Nursing Officer Barbara Willis said.

Services provided by the behavioral health unit at Natchez Regional are targeted to individuals challenged with overwhelming situations who need assistance in managing life changes. Often these individuals show signs of depression, confusion, social withdrawal or aggressive behavior.

“Alice’s additional training and certification in psychiatric and behavioral nursing further enhances our abilities to help our patients who suffer from mental illness to recover their mental health so they can live to their fullest potential,” psychiatrist Dr. Donald Guild said.