Career Paths of Lane's Nursing Leadership Team

Allyson Bennett, MSN, RN

Chief Nursing Officer

Lane Team Member since 1993

"After serving in various nursing positions at Lane for over 30 years, I am deeply honored to continue serving Lane as Chief Nursing Officer. Our nurses are the heart of this hospital, and I am honored to continue to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence in patient care.

Throughout my career at Lane, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the dedication, compassion, and resilience of our nursing team. From the bedside to leadership, each role has reinforced my belief that exceptional care is built on strong relationships, clinical expertise, and a shared commitment to doing what is best for our patients and their families.

Nursing is more than a profession—it is a calling. Every day, our nurses make a meaningful difference by providing not only skilled care, but also comfort, empathy, and guidance during some of life’s most important moments. At Lane, we are proud of the supportive environment we have built—one where teamwork, respect, and accountability guide everything we do.

As we look to the future, I am excited to continue investing in our nurses through professional development, innovation, and opportunities for growth. We are committed to advancing patient care, strengthening outcomes, and ensuring that every nurse feels valued, empowered, and inspired in their work.

Whether you are beginning your nursing journey or looking to take the next step in your career, I invite you to discover the difference at Lane—where your passion, purpose, and potential can truly thrive."

Lori Carruth, RN

Surgical Services Director

Lane Team Member since 2005

"I am from a small town in Mississippi and started as an RN at a rural, critical access hospital near home.  After 10 years, I decided to make the short drive to Zachary for a big jump in my career and accepted the leadership position. 

Once I got here, I knew it was the right decision.  From the very start, people were welcoming, warm, and friendly.  It felt like home, and I am glad I didn't have to make the drive into a bigger city.

At Lane, we provide the same, if not better, standards of care as the larger hospitals.  We follow the same guidelines and utilize the same best practices on a daily basis.  The difference is, at Lane, our nurses have more versatility and can cross train in other units, providing them with valuable experience, broadened skills, more confidence, and more growth opportunities.

In Surgery, our nurses are cross trained to circulate Day Surgery and PACU.  They assist in all surgical specialty areas, including orthopedics, obstetrics, GYN, neuro/spine, pain, GI, Endo, ENT, podiatry, and a variety of general surgery cases.

I look for nurses who are go-getters with strong work ethics, are open to change, and want to expand their role and learn about different types of care.  Nurses who are dependable, reliable, compassionate, and committed will do well here.  It's important to me that our nurses are happy in their positions; it's the only way our team can function and thrive.  As a mentor, I encourage online training, certifications, and continuing education.

Lane is special to me because the executive leadership team is strong and has faith in the staff.  They give us the tools and support we need to do our jobs and appreciate our efforts.  I love working at Lane.  It is my refuge and where I find peace.  It is comforting to know my family and friends have a place nearby to get excellent health care, and I am excited to be a part of it."

Jason Gwyn, RN

Director of Endoscopy & Infusion Services

Lane Team Member since 1993

"I am originally from Toronto, Canada where funds for socialized medicine had basically dried up when I graduated from college in 1992, which meant there were limited opportunities for nurses.  Several of my friends had chosen to come to Lane and really liked it, so I joined them.  I started as a staff nurse on the Medical/Surgical unit, then transitioned to house supervisor.

I married a local girl who wanted to experience northern living, so we moved back to Canada where I worked as an ICU nurse.  After five years, we moved back home and Lane welcomed me back.  I worked in many different units, including ICU, Day Surgery and Endoscopy, and was promoted to nurse manager.

There are plenty of opportunities here at Lane to move up or move over to other specialty areas to further one's career.  For example, over the years as the hospital grew, I helped open several new service lines including the Cath Lab, Infusion, and Oncology.  I was also part of the team that planned and designed our state-of-the-art Endoscopy & Infusion Center featuring the latest generation of Olympus scopes and outfitted with one monitor per bedside.

The culture at Lane is very family-oriented and future focused.  Senior leadership is strong and we have continued to grow in a very competitive market by expanding service lines, adding new services, and recruiting new specialists.  As Lane continues to expand, there will be more professional opportunities for nurses along the way.  If this sounds like an environment you'd like to be a part of, we're here to help make it happen."

Billy Conerly, MSN, BS, RN

Emergency Department Director

Lane Team Member since 1989

"When I was in nursing school, I rotated through an emergency room and found I liked the fast-paced environment best.  After five years in a New Orleans hospital ER and ICU, I began my nursing career at Lane as an RN in the ICU.  I steadily worked my way up to charge nurse and lead preceptor, and then became a unit director in 1992.  Over the years, I've managed the Telemetry, ICU, and Intermediate Care units and then moved to Emergency Room in 2006.

Despite living in Denham Springs, I've made the drive to Lane all these years because it is a progressive hospital with a home town feel.  I appreciate the quality of care provided in a team oriented environment.  We set high standards that are accountable for and use evidence-based practices to guide us.

The Emergency Department fosters advancement, and I like to hire dynamic, energetic, and innovative nurses who are goal-oriented, open minded, and can multitask.  We see about 33,000 patients a year, so as a nurse you are exposed to patients of all age groups, pediatric - geriatric.  We have strong cardiac, ortho, gastro, and OB programs, and we are a Level 3 stroke center with tele-stroke capabilities.  As a general Emergency Department, our nurses treat patients with a wide array of medical, trauma, and psychiatric issues.

Being a smaller facility, there are also more opportunities for advancement here.  As the hospital grows, if someone strives to do well, they can do well.  There is nothing better than seeing a nurse's eyes light up as he or she learns something new, develops their talent, and pursues their passion.  We provide ACLS, PALS, and TNCC training; we promote CEN certification, and we include staff in the decision making process.

For most of us, Lane is an extended part of our family and social circle.  You feel like you are part of a community working here, a place where our nurses and providers are all truly concerned about the welfare and outcomes of our patients.  Overall, it's a great place to work."

Laura Peel, RN

Cardiology Services Director

Lane Team Member since 1990

“My nursing career may be a bit different than most. I was working at Lane as a scrub tech in the OR, when I decided to go back to school after having three children by the time I was 22 years old. A friend was enrolling in nursing at Southwest Mississippi Junior College, which inspired me to enroll, too.   I continued working at Lane while I attended nursing school. Once graduated, I was a circulator nurse in the OR for 10 years, then I moved into a director position for Endoscopy and Day Surgery.

When the hospital began plans to open a heart catheterization lab, I was asked to oversee its pre & post areas until the new service line was fully operational. Lane Cardiovascular Center opened in 2007, and by 2008 I became its director on a full time basis.

In the cardiovascular unit we emphasize delivering quality care at all times. As an accredited chest pain center, we have close to 300 standards we have to meet and/or exceed. We pride ourselves in treating every patient with kindness so they feel not just cared for, but seen as a person, which allows us to develop real bonds with our patients and their families.

When interviewing potential team members, I look for people who are compassionate and want to be here for the right reasons. We hold each other accountable to do the job right, and the expectation is to treat everyone with respect. We are a family-focused team, and I go out of my way to make sure each staff member has the time off needed to fulfil those precious family obligations.

Lane has provided a very rewarding career for me, and it has always been here for my family and friends when we needed it most. I ask God every day to give me the opportunity to make real connections with patients, their families, and our staff, because overall I just want Lane to be the very best it can possibly be.”

Dawn Fuller, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, C-ONQS

Obstetrical Services Director

Lane Team Member since 2019

“I was born and raised in Zachary and now I’m raising my son here. After high school I started as a Nurse Tech in the Lane Rehabilitation Center. I worked there until I graduated from nursing school and became a registered nurse. I worked as a Labor & Delivery nurse at Woman’s Hospital and was there until the Director position became available here at Lane.

I jumped at the opportunity to work close to home and do what I love in my own community. What’s special about Lane’s LDRP unit is that it’s a smaller unit, so patients are able to stay in the same unit with the same nurses throughout their entire delivery experience. We put a lot of emphasis on continuity of care here at Lane and are proud of the specialized care that we can offer on our smaller unit.

Nurses on the LDRP unit receive specialized training to take care of both laboring and post-partum patients. Some specialize in post-partum or nursery care, while others are cross-trained to work in all areas.

When hiring nurses, I look for people who are passionate about women’s health and are excited to be part of this life-changing experience for our patients. We work as a team and need nurses who are not afraid to jump in and help out. New graduates with limited obstetrical experience are always welcome on our unit, because we provide a very intensive training and orientation period to prepare them for this type of specialized care. I believe in allowing my team to shine where they can as well as helping them to improve when needed.

Working at Lane feels like home. I’m part of an extended family here and am not just a number or a warm body. Everyone knows who everyone is, and I’m so happy that I’ve come full circle and am at Lane once again.”

Robbie Tanner, BSN, RN, CCRN
Intensive Care, Intermediate Care, and Respiratory Therapy Services Director
Lane Team Member since 2022

“I think I knew I always had a calling to become a nurse, because I witnessed first-hand what good nursing looked like due to my own childhood injuries and when family members and friends were hospitalized. In high school I had good teachers that piqued my interest in the health sciences and made the subjects interesting. By the time I enrolled in nursing at LSU, I knew it was what I was meant to do.

I began my nursing career in intensive care and later became an air transport nurse. When looking at how I could best serve while continuing to care for people’s well-being, the director position at Lane was mentioned. It was the perfect opportunity for me to grow and serve, and thankfully I was chosen for the position.

As a leader, I prioritize a cohesive team. Bringing together hard-working professionals who care about their patients, who care about each other, who can rely on their team mates, and who work well together is essential to providing quality care. I can teach skills, but I can’t teach integrity, compassion, or humility. As a team, we work together to improve processes to make the patient’s experience the best it can possibly be.

When you join the Lane team, you are joining the Lane family where you are greeted with a smile and people know your name. Together we strive to make it a positive environment for our patients as well as for each other.”

Margie Sevier, BSN, RN
Director of Medical/Surgical and Telemetry 

I’ve always been drawn to nursing because it blends compassion with the opportunity to truly make a difference—and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Lane. Every day, our nurses and clinical teams have the chance to impact lives while working in an environment that values both excellence and heart.

With more than 20 years of nursing and clinical leadership experience, I’ve had the privilege of leading teams in fast-paced, high-acuity settings, most recently as a House Supervisor and Manager of Acute Care and ICU. Those experiences shaped my leadership style and reinforced what matters most—supporting our frontline staff so they can provide the best possible care.

At Lane Regional Medical Center, we are deeply committed to helping our team members grow. Whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced clinician, you’ll find opportunities for advancement, continuing education, and professional development. We believe in investing in our people—because when our team succeeds, our patients do too.

Our Medicine, Surgery, and Telemetry units care for a diverse patient population, offering a dynamic environment where you can build your skills and expand your experience. You’ll work alongside a team that includes both seasoned nurses and those just starting their careers—creating a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning.

What truly sets Lane apart is our culture. We are a team that supports one another, celebrates successes, and steps in when it matters most. While the work is fast-paced, it’s also incredibly rewarding, and you’ll never feel like you’re doing it alone.

If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, feel valued, and make a meaningful impact, we would love for you to consider joining the Lane family.